<p>A <a href="https://mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/thane-court-acquits-man-in-2015-triple-murder-case-23539385" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">special court in Thane</a> district has acquitted a man booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in a 17-year-old highway robbery and dacoity case, citing insufficient evidence, reported news agency PTI.</p>
<p>Additional Special Judge A N Sirsikar acquitted Shobhan alias Gando Himla Machar of charges under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and MCOCA.</p>
<p>A copy of the order, dated April 29, was made available on Monday.</p>
<p>Machar was arrested in 2008 in connection with a robbery on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway on December 9, 2007, during which vehicles were stopped and occupants looted of valuables worth more than Rs 3 lakh, reported PTI.</p>
<p>According to the prosecution, three leaders of the Youth Congress were on their way to Surat for a public meeting when a gang of dacoits waylaid their vehicle on the highway and attacked and robbed them.</p>
<p>Judge Sirsikar found the evidence presented by the prosecution insufficient and noted the inability of the witnesses to identify the accused.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/thane-court-in-maharashtra-sentences-man-to-20-years-rigorous-imprisonment-for-raping-13-year-old-daughter-23493698" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Thane court</a> also questioned the admissibility of a confessional statement recorded by a senior police officer.</p>
<p>Judge Sirsikar pointed out a procedural violation, stating the officer who recorded the confession of a co-accused admitted that police stations involved in the investigation were under his control, reported PTI.</p>
<p>"There is a clear-cut violation of Rule-3(2)" of the MCOC Rules, which prohibits investigating officers from being present during confession recording," the judge ruled, reported PTI.</p>
<p>Regarding Machar's alleged confession, the judge stated, "The prosecution has not proved the confession of the present accused recorded by [the police officer]. Moreover, there must be some other evidence. Confession alone is not sufficient to establish the guilt."</p>
<p>The Thane court acquitted Machar and discharged three absconding co-accused.</p>
<h2>Thane court acquits man in 2015 triple murder case</h2>
<p>Last week, a sessions court in Maharashtra&rsquo;s <a href="https://mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/thane-court-acquits-six-booked-under-mcoca-in-2017-robbery-case-23524391" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Thane district</a> has acquitted a 44-year-old jeweller accused of killing three people, including a 13-month-old child, in a 2015 arson case, citing insufficient witness testimony and lack of conclusive evidence.</p>
<p>Principal District and Sessions Court judge S B Agrawal acquitted Bahadursingh Vadansingh Parmar, a jeweller, of charges under sections 302 (murder) and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy a house, etc.) of the Indian Penal Code, reported PTI.</p>
<p>The prosecution alleged that on the intervening night of December 30 and 31, 2015, Parmar set ablaze Shukila Babalu Shaikh (18), Taniya Bahadur Singh, and their 13-month-old son Jaydev Bahadur Singh in their residence at Mira Road (east), reported PTI.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>(With inputs from PTI)</strong></p><p><script type="text/javascript">atOptions={'key':'d0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7','format':'iframe','height':90,'width':728,'params':{}};</script></p><p>
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Thane court has acquitted a man booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in a 17-year-old highway robbery and dacoity case

Man accused under MCOCA for highway robbery acquitted by Thane court

Floor-cleaning machine falls on track at Mumbai's CSMT; watch video

Additional Special Judge A N Sirsikar acquitted Shobhan alias Gando Himla Machar of charges under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and MCOCA

Thane court acquits man booked under MCOCA for highway robbery

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