MARGAO
The South Goa Sessions Court has acquitted two young natives of Odisha, who were charged for the murder of one Pratap Singh on a fishing trawler on August 24, 2018.
Additional Sessions Judge, Vincent D’Silva acquitted the two accused persons, Santosh Bag, aged 18 years and Dyaneshwar Bag, aged 20 years, both natives of Sundargarh, Odisha, who were working as labourers on the fishing vessel, since the prosecution has failed to establish the motive behind the murder.
The Cuncolim police had charged the duo for committing the murder of Pratap Singh on a fishing trawler anchored at the Cutbona fishing jetty, with a sharp weapon before fleeing away from the spot.
The prosecution had examined a total of 22 witnesses in support of its case.
In the order, Judge Vincent said since the entire case of the prosecution is based on circumstantial evidence, the presence of motive is vital on the part of the prosecution to prove, failing which the accused would be entitled for a benefit of doubt.
“There is absolutely no evidence on the aspect of motive. The complainant as well as the Investigating Officer has not stated anything regarding the motive on the part of the accused for committing the crime. The prosecution has also failed to establish any previous enmity between the accused and the deceased as none of the witnesses have stated that there was any previous enmity between them,” the Judge said.
He added: “There was also no scuffle or any skirmishes taken place between the deceased and the accused before proceeding to the bar where they had consumed alcohol or in the bar if one peruses the CCTV produced on record. There is also nothing on record nor any reason has been cited as to why both the accused could possibly do away with the deceased and therefore, the prosecution has absolutely failed to establish the crucial aspect of motive in order to link and complete the chain of circumstances.”
