Patna: The Patna High Court has acquitted nine accused in the Jehanabad massacre case in Bihar, citing significant flaws in the investigation. The court noted that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. While questioning the police investigation, the court also directed the determination of the responsibility of the concerned officers.

The incident occurred in August 1996, when four people were killed during a dispute over water resources and irrigation of fields. Following prolonged legal proceedings, the trial court had convicted the accused and sentenced them to life imprisonment in April 2023. Challenging this verdict, the accused had filed an appeal before the Patna High Court.

During the hearing, the High Court observed that the post-mortem reports of the four deceased were not presented in court, nor was the testimony of the doctors who conducted the post-mortems recorded. Additionally, the court pointed out deficiencies in collecting crucial evidence from the crime scene and conducting forensic examinations, considering these to be key aspects of the case.

The court also examined the witnesses’ claims of identifying the accused in the darkness of night using torchlight. Given the failure to conduct an identification parade and other shortcomings, the prosecution’s case was found to be weak. The court clarified that in serious crimes, punishment cannot be based solely on accusation or suspicion; reliable evidence is necessary to prove the crime.

The court directed the Director General of Police, Bihar, to constitute a three-member committee of senior police officers to investigate the deficiencies in the investigation and take appropriate administrative action against the responsible officers. A period of three months has been allotted for this purpose.

The High Court’s decision has once again highlighted the importance of evidence collection, forensic examination, and witness testimonies in the investigation of serious crimes. While acquitting the accused due to a lack of evidence, the court also raised the issue of accountability by directing an inquiry into the negligence in the investigation.