Delhi Court Acquits Two Men in 2014 IAF Staffer Murder Case Citing Insufficient Evidence
A Delhi court has acquitted two men accused of murdering a 33-year-old Indian Air Force (IAF) staffer in 2014, holding that the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution was inadequate and failed to form a complete chain pointing conclusively to their guilt.
Case Details and Allegations
Additional Sessions Judge Gurmohina Kaur presided over the case against Brahm Prakash and Khajaan Singh, who were accused of killing the IAF staffer, Arun. According to the prosecution, on the intervening night of December 27–28, 2014, the two men allegedly struck Arun multiple times on the head with a stone before running him over with a van. His body was later discovered near a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) site in Dwarka.
Initially, the incident was treated as a road accident, but it was subsequently investigated as a murder case. The prosecution further alleged that the accused attempted to destroy evidence by discarding the victim's mobile phone and washing bloodstains from the vehicle. An FIR was registered at the Dwarka North police station, and charges were framed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder.
Court's Ruling and Legal Reasoning
On February 5, the court delivered its verdict, emphasizing that suspicion alone cannot justify a conviction. Judge Kaur noted, "Merely on the basis of doubt from the family of the deceased, the accused cannot be convicted, especially when the circumstantial evidence is insufficient and does not form a complete chain of events leading to the inescapable conclusion of guilt."
The court underscored the fundamental legal principle that the burden of proof lies squarely on the prosecution, stating, "Every accused is presumed innocent until proved guilty." This ruling highlights the judiciary's commitment to ensuring that convictions are based on solid, irrefutable evidence rather than mere allegations or circumstantial gaps.
Key Gaps in the Investigation
The court pointed to significant deficiencies in the investigation that contributed to the acquittal. Notably, the alleged murder weapon—the stone used to strike the victim—was never recovered. Additionally, no evidence was collected to establish when or where the tyres of the vehicle were washed, which was a critical aspect of the prosecution's claim regarding the destruction of evidence.
These investigative lapses meant that the circumstantial evidence failed to connect all the dots necessary to prove the accused's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The court's decision serves as a reminder of the stringent standards required in criminal cases, particularly those reliant on circumstantial evidence, to prevent wrongful convictions and uphold justice.
The acquittal of Brahm Prakash and Khajaan Singh marks a significant development in this long-pending case, reflecting the judicial system's rigorous scrutiny of evidence and adherence to legal principles in ensuring fair trials.
