Lucknow : In a ruling that underscores the impact of prolonged judicial delays, the Allahabad High Court has acquitted a 100-year-old man in a murder case dating back to 1982. A division bench of Justices Chandradhari Singh and Sanjeev Kumar set aside the conviction of Dhaniram, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment by a sessions court in Hamirpur in 1984.
The case stems from the fatal shooting of a man named Gunwa on August 9, 1982, in Hamirpur district, allegedly linked to a land dispute. According to the prosecution, the main accused, Maiku, fired the shot, while Dhaniram and another man, Sattidin, were accused of instigating the attack. Both men challenged the verdict in the High Court and were granted bail during the pendency of the appeal.
The High Court noted that the principal alleged shooter, Maiku, was never apprehended. The bench observed that the prolonged pendency of the appeal, coupled with the advanced age of the surviving accused, were significant factors that could not be ignored. The court also extended the benefit of the doubt to Dhaniram, pointing to gaps in the prosecution’s case.
Setting aside the conviction, the court acquitted Dhaniram of all charges and ordered that his bail bonds be discharged. The ruling is likely to revive discussion around delays in the criminal justice system, particularly in older cases.
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