Daijiworld Media Network – Panvel
Panvel, May 22: A Panvel court that recently sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of Meenakshi Jaiswal, the former chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has made a strong observation in its detailed verdict: "The fact that the accused did not abscond does not imply innocence."
The Additional Sessions Judge S C Chavan, in a detailed order released on Wednesday, rejected the defence’s argument that the accused being found at home after the murder was evidence of their non-involvement.
Meenakshi Jaiswal, a well-known child rights activist and former state official, was robbed and murdered at her Kharghar residence in Navi Mumbai on December 19, 2014. The police arrested three men—Manindarsingh Bajwa, Suraj Jayswar, and Vinayak Chavan—from their homes a day later.
Suraj Jayswar was employed as a driver by the deceased and was considered a trusted aide. The gruesome incident sent shockwaves across Maharashtra's social and political circles, with many demanding swift justice.
Lawyers representing the trio argued that if their clients had been guilty, they would have fled the scene or gone into hiding, which they did not. The accused were instead found at their residences in Kharghar on December 20, 2014.
The court, however, ruled that non-absconding does not equate to innocence.
“Accused had not absconded does not mean that they had not committed any crime. There is no uniform conduct of criminals to abscond after commission of crime,” stated Judge Chavan.
The judgement emphasized that behavioural patterns post-crime cannot be used as sole indicators of guilt or innocence, especially when evidence points to direct involvement.
After examining forensic, circumstantial, and testimonial evidence, the court convicted all three men for robbery and murder, sentencing them to life imprisonment.
The prosecution argued that the motive was robbery, and insider access enabled the crime to be executed with precision. Jayswar, being the driver, allegedly provided information about the victim’s routine and house layout.
Meenakshi Jaiswal was remembered for her tireless advocacy for child rights and her efforts in policy reforms. Her murder, while tragic, exposed vulnerabilities in the safety of public figures and reignited conversations about domestic staff verification and security.
The court's firm stance sends a strong message: Justice does not hinge on assumptions about criminal behaviour but on facts and evidence.