Noida Court Acquits Two Men in 31-Year-Old Robbery Case After Prosecution Fails to Provide Evidence
In a significant judicial development, two men accused in a 31-year-old loot case were acquitted by a Noida court on Thursday. The decision came after the prosecution failed to produce any concrete evidence or record witness statements over the protracted legal proceedings.
Court Cites Absence of Evidence as Key Factor in Ruling
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Mayank Tripathi delivered the verdict, stating that in the complete absence of any substantial evidence, the two accused deserved the benefit of doubt. The magistrate emphasized that the prosecution had not been able to present the plaintiff in the case during the entire 30-year span of the legal battle.
One of the three original accused had died during the prolonged court proceedings, leading to charges being dropped against him in June 2023. The remaining two defendants challenged the charges framed against them in March 2025, ultimately leading to their acquittal.
Historical Case Details and Timeline
The case originated from an FIR registered by Jarcha police on October 10, 1995, under Section 392 (robbery) of the Indian Penal Code. The complaint was filed against unknown persons following a disturbing incident.
The complainant, identified as BD, reported that after refueling his white Maruti car at the NTPC petrol pump, he was followed to his home by individuals in a blue car. At gunpoint, the assailants forced him into their vehicle and compelled his wife to surrender her gold chain. The perpetrators also snatched BD's purse and gold chain before two other individuals drove away with his car.
Three individuals—Jitendra alias Jatan, Sanjay, and Subhas alias Nempal—were subsequently named in the FIR. However, the case experienced extraordinary delays in the judicial system.
Prolonged Legal Proceedings and Systemic Delays
The case was only registered with the ACJM court in April 2011—a full 16 years after the initial FIR. The first hearing occurred nearly a year later on April 9, 2012.
The matter continued to linger in the judicial system for years, primarily concerning the issuance of non-bailable warrants against the accused. The court finally framed charges against the remaining two accused on March 24, 2025, which they promptly challenged.
This case highlights several systemic issues within the Indian judicial process, including:
- Extraordinary delays in case registration and hearing commencement
- Failure to maintain witness availability over decades
- Inadequate evidence preservation and presentation by prosecution
- The human toll of prolonged legal proceedings
The acquittal serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing India's judicial system when dealing with historical cases where evidence deteriorates or disappears over time, and witnesses become unavailable or their memories fade.
