Memory loss leads to acquittal of five in murder case

A Kalyan sessions court has acquitted five men in a 1992 murder case, stating the decades-long delay, loss of key evidence and the inability to examine the prime witness has fatally weakened the case.

- Pranali Lotlikar

Additional sessions judge PF Sayyad observed that the complainant, who was also the key witness, was now 74 years old and suffers from Parkinson's disease and memory loss. “Prosecution failed to prove the complaint against the accused,” the court said, noting that the witness was “not in a position to speak well” and could not provide any statement.