In a significant legal development, a district court in Chandigarh has delivered a verdict of acquittal for a 21-year-old woman accused of murdering her father. The court cited a profound lack of credible evidence and serious contradictions in the prosecution's case as the primary reasons for its decision.
Court Cites Failure to Prove Charges Beyond Doubt
The court presiding over the case made a clear observation that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against Asha beyond a reasonable doubt. This foundational legal standard was not met, leading to the acquittal. A major blow to the prosecution's narrative came when its key witness, neighbour Gulab Singh, did not support the police's version of events during the trial.
Asha had been formally charged by the IT Park police station. The authorities alleged she conspired to kill her father, Sumai Lal, who was discovered stabbed to death at his residence in Kishangarh on August 10, 2023. The case initially seemed to rely heavily on Gulab Singh's statement, in which he claimed Asha had confessed to him about the killing.
Key Witness Retracts Statement, Investigation Gaps Exposed
However, the case unraveled during the trial proceedings when Gulab Singh denied having made any such claims of a confession. This retraction left the First Information Report (FIR) version completely unsupported. The defence counsel, Gurdit Singh Saini, effectively highlighted critical gaps in the police investigation.
One of the most notable shortcomings was the absence of the lethal weapon. Saini argued that the alleged murder weapon, a kitchen knife cited by police, was forensically inconsistent with the deep chest wound found on the deceased, Sumai Lal.
Sequence of Events and Unsubstantiated Motive
According to the official case records, the incident came to light when Gulab Singh visited Sumai Lal's house to fetch water. He found the victim bleeding, with Asha and other children present at the scene. The injured man was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.
The police theory suggested the murder was a conspiracy driven by domestic discord. However, after a thorough review of all material evidence and hearing arguments from both sides, the court found no concrete evidence or reliable testimony to substantiate the alleged motive or any conspiracy. Consequently, the court acquitted Asha of all charges, bringing an end to the legal ordeal for the young woman.
