PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has acquitted Chetan Arondekar, also known as Vijayendra, in the 2016 murder case of 20-year-old Deepali Mehta. The Court set aside the conviction and life sentence given earlier by the Margao Additional Sessions Court.
Mehta, a native of Karwar, was found murdered at Cabo de Rama beach in December 2016. In March 2022, the Sessions Court had convicted Arondekar under Section 302 of the IPC and sentenced him to life imprisonment with a fine of Rs 50,000. However, the High Court overturned the verdict on Wednesday while hearing his appeal.
Arondekar was arrested by Cuncolim police for allegedly strangling Mehta to death on December 23, 2016. Police had said that the two, who were neighbours in Talpona, Canacona, had gone to Cabo de Rama on a motorcycle, where a quarrel allegedly led to the murder.
During the trial, the prosecution examined 32 witnesses. The trial Judge had then said that no lenient view could be taken, as the accused was mature enough to understand the seriousness of his crime.
