In a significant ruling, a court in Thane has acquitted a 52-year-old woman accused in a prostitution case, bringing an end to a protracted legal ordeal that lasted nearly seven years. The court found that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, highlighting major gaps in the evidence presented.
A Raid and Arrest Based on Allegations
The case dates back to February 26, 2018. According to the police, the accused woman had allegedly arranged two women for prostitution for a sum of Rs 3,000 at a hotel located near a shopping mall in Bhayander (West). Acting on this information, the police conducted a raid around 8:45 pm that evening. The accused was subsequently taken into custody the following day.
Critical Lapses in the Prosecution's Case
During the lengthy trial, the case presented by the prosecution unraveled due to several critical failures. The two alleged victims, who were supposed to be the most crucial witnesses for the case, were never examined in court. Authorities reported that they remained untraceable throughout the entire legal proceedings.
Furthermore, summons issued to other eyewitnesses were returned unserved, with the police stating they could not locate these individuals. This severely weakened the foundation of the case against the accused.
The Decoy Customer's U-Turn and Medical Evidence Gap
A pivotal moment in the trial occurred during the cross-examination of the decoy customer, who was deployed by the police as part of the operation. This witness denied being present at the scene of the alleged crime. Shockingly, he went a step further and alleged that the police had falsely implicated the accused with his assistance.
Adding to the prosecution's woes, the medical officer cited by them admitted during testimony that she did not personally examine the alleged victims. This admission further eroded the credibility of the evidence chain presented before the judge.
Court's Verdict and the Long Road to Justice
After considering all the evidence, or the lack thereof, the court concluded that the prosecution had not succeeded in establishing its charges. With key witnesses missing, the decoy customer turning hostile, and gaps in medical documentation, the case did not meet the stringent standard of proof required in criminal law. The principle of 'beyond reasonable doubt' was not satisfied, leading to the acquittal of the woman, who had faced the legal process for nearly seven years since her arrest in 2018.
This case underscores the challenges within the judicial process when primary evidence and witnesses are not presented effectively. It also highlights the personal toll of lengthy legal battles on the accused, who ultimately walked free due to the prosecution's failure to build a solid case.
