Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 17: A local court has delivered a significant verdict in connection with the 2017 lathi-charge incident outside the city police commissioner’s office, acquitting all 101 accused persons of all charges.
The case dates back to April 4, 2017, when activists from various organisations attempted to siege the police commissioner’s office.
The protest was triggered by allegations that the police had illegally detained a person named Ahmed Qureshi in connection with a murder case and subjected him to custodial torture without producing him before a court.
As the protest turned tense, police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Subsequently, Pandeshwar police filed three separate cases against the protesters, alleging stone-pelting and rioting. A final report was submitted naming 101 individuals as accused.
While two of the cases were heard in the Second JMFC Court, the third case was tried in the District and Sessions Court. After a prolonged trial, the judges observed that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the allegations against the accused. Consequently, the court ordered the acquittal of all individuals involved.
Advocates from Lex Juris Mangaluru, including Asif Baikady, Mufida Rahman, Irshad Sakhafi Montepadavu, Ayaz Charmadi, Muhammad Adil, Nishan M K, Rubina, and Ansina, represented the accused.