Failure To Verify Alibi Of Accused Led To His Acquittal: Court 

PATHANKOT — The prosecution’s failure to verify accused Vishal Jangotra’s alibi during the probe in the Kathua rape and murder case led to his acquittal, the special court said as it blamed the Jammu Crime Branch for withholding the best evidence against him.

“This court is of the opinion that all this goes to show there is a big lacuna in the prosecution case against Vishal Jangotra in this regard as prosecution failed to verify genuinely the plea of alibi raised by accused Vishal Jangotra at the first instance during the investigation of the case,” it said in the detailed order passed on Monday.

Jangotra was the only one among the seven accused to be acquitted by the court. Three, including his father Sanji Ram who was the key conspirator, were given life sentences.

The court also raised the issue of the prosecution failing to question Inspector Kewal Kishore who had done most of the investigation regarding Jangotra’s alleged role in the crime.

“Almost all investigating officers had deposed that investigation qua Vishal was done by Inspector Kewal Kishore and it was essential for the prosecution to make a foolproof case against accused Vishal Jangotra to examine Inspector Kewal Kishore in this case,” the court observed.

It said that for the reasons best know to the prosecution, the inspector was not examined in this case “which is certainly a lacuna in the prosecution”.

The crime branch, however, contended that Kishore was a part of a team that had undertaken seizures in this case and other members had deposed and recorded their statements before the court.

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