A copy of the order, dated April 23, was made available on Monday.
As per the case details, the victim, Arvindbhai Bhanjibhai Panchal, committed suicide on March 6, 2016, by hanging himself in his Mira Road residence, and his wife lodged a complaint alleging that he had been mentally harassed by the accused, who had denied him a share in the family’s properties.
During the trial, the court noted that two of the original five accused had passed away, leading to the abatement of proceedings against them.
The prosecution’s case was weakened considerably after the complainant, her elder son and sister-in-law failed to support the prosecution’s version during examination and cross-examination.
The deceased man’s son conceded that the property issue was not the reason behind his father’s suicide.
Judge Shete, in his ruling, emphasised that the prosecution failed to discharge its burden of proving abetment.
With no incriminating evidence found, the court ruled that the accused were entitled to the benefit of the doubt. PTI COR ARU