A court in Rajnandgaon has acquitted Rajendra Uchake, the former chief fire officer of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), in a case involving allegations of sending obscene WhatsApp messages and criminal intimidation. The verdict was delivered on Friday by the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC).
Prosecution fails to prove charges
The court ruled that the prosecution could not establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The complainant, who was the principal witness, did not appear in court despite repeated summons, warrants, and other coercive measures, leaving the allegations unsubstantiated.
Forensic evidence inconclusive
The court also noted that forensic evidence did not conclusively link the alleged objectionable messages to Uchake. Although electronic devices were examined, investigators failed to establish an electronic trail connecting Uchake to the transmission of the content.
Background of the case
The case originated from a dispute that emerged in 2022. According to police records, the complainant and her husband, Amit Soni, were arrested by the Nagpur Crime Branch in July 2022 on charges of honey-trapping Uchake and attempting to extort Rs 1.5 crore from him. The couple was apprehended at a hotel in Sadar while allegedly accepting Rs 28 lakh.
Investigators claimed that Uchake was threatened with the circulation of private chats, photographs, and videos unless he paid the demanded money. After obtaining bail, the woman lodged a complaint with Rajnandgaon police, alleging that Uchake had sent her obscene WhatsApp messages and threatened her. Based on this complaint, Rajnandgaon police registered an offense and arrested Uchake on April 13, 2023.
Case outcome
With the acquittal, Uchake has been cleared of all charges. The court emphasized that the complainant's failure to testify and the lack of concrete forensic evidence were key factors in the decision.
