A Mumbai court has acquitted a man accused of cyber fraud, emphasizing that the mere receipt of money into a bank account does not establish guilt. Judicial Magistrate (First Class) S G Chimankar of the Girgaon court delivered the verdict last week, granting Manoj Kisku (23) the benefit of doubt after the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Case Background
The case involved allegations of cyber fraud, with the prosecution arguing that Kisku had benefited financially from the crime. However, the court observed that the evidence presented was insufficient to link Kisku directly to the fraudulent activities.
Court's Observation
Magistrate Chimankar noted that the prosecution could not establish a clear chain of events or provide concrete evidence beyond the bank credit. The court stated that in the absence of corroborating evidence, the accused could not be held guilty based solely on financial transactions.
Legal Implications
The verdict underscores the principle that financial evidence alone is not enough to secure a conviction in cyber fraud cases. Legal experts believe this judgment could set a precedent, requiring law enforcement to gather more comprehensive evidence before charging individuals.
Reaction
Kisku's defense counsel welcomed the decision, highlighting that their client was falsely implicated. The prosecution has not announced whether it will appeal the verdict.
