In a dramatic turn of events, six men who had been staring down the barrel of serious charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) have finally been acquitted by a Thane court. These men, once accused of stealing cigarettes worth a whopping ₹91 lakh from a godown in Navi Mumbai, can now breathe the fresh air of freedom after nearly seven years of legal uncertainty.

The Robbery and Investigation

The robbery, which took place on the night of July 29, 2017, in the APMC Market area, triggered a major police investigation. Authorities acted swiftly, lodging a complaint and arresting several suspects based on fingerprint traces and the recovery of stolen cigarette cartons. The accused were booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including house-breaking by night, theft, criminal conspiracy, and dishonestly receiving stolen property.

Thane Court Ruling and Reasoning

But justice has its own pace and path. As the case unfolded, Special MCOCA judge Amit M Shete highlighted significant lapses in the investigation. The trial leaned heavily on circumstantial evidence, and the prosecution, despite years of proceedings, was unable to establish a solid chain of events that linked the accused directly to the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

Judge Shete emphasised that when doubt exists, the benefit must go to the accused. With the IPC charges unproven, the court ruled that the accused could not be held guilty under MCOCA either. Among those acquitted are Mukesh Mohan Chaudhari alias Raju Rathod, Surendra Aslaramji Chaudhari, Champalal Chogaram Verma, Ratanlal Nagaram Dangi, Suresh Hariram Chaudhari, and Tejas Champalal Unecha, all residents of Pune district.

A New Beginning for the Accused

This verdict serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and the principle that justice must not just be done, but be seen to be done. For the six men, it’s not just an acquittal; it’s a second chance at life.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available legal information and court records. It does not constitute legal advice or opinion.

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