Uttarakhand: US Nagar court acquits accused in Dalit woman's attempt to rape and murder

DEHRADUN: A special sessions court in US Nagar district has acquitted an accused in a Dalit woman's attempt to rape and murder case while giving him "benefit of doubt".

Muzaffar Ali (46) was in jail on charges of attempt to rape and murder of Dalit woman on October 4, 2019 in Kunda area of the district. The woman's son had lodged a case against Ali for murder and attempt to rape under IPC sections and the SC/ST Act.

The court, in its verdict, said as the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, the accused should be given "benefit of doubt".

Special sessions judge Prem Singh Khimal said: "Charges against the accused have to be proved beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution, either direct evidence or by circumstantial evidence. In the present case, there is no direct evidence on record against accused Ali... As a result, the accused is liable to be acquitted by getting benefit of doubt."