Cab driver accused of murder, acquitted

Bengaluru: A cab driver who was accused of murdering a Bangalore Turf Club employee, was acquitted by a sessions court in Bengaluru. The accused was let off since there was no material evidence to prove the presence of a witness of the crime.

In a chargesheet filed by the police, it was revealed that Sunita Kumar, a 29 year old resident of Tavarakere, was stabbed by cab driver Dhanraj when she resisted his advances. The incident took place at around 1:30 pm on March 20, 2014 at one of the Turf Club gates. A constable named Subramani was at a traffic signal opposite to the club, and he had rushed to the spot and nabbed the driver.

Subramani was the prosecution’s main witness in the case. But since police failed to produce any material evidence of Subramani’s presence and deputation to perform the traffic control duties at the spot, Dhanraj was acquitted. The judgement said that the High Grounds police inspector, who conducted the probe, should have obtained a certificate that elucidated the witness’s presence.

“Non-production of documents creates doubt in my mind about Subramani having performed his duties at Trilight Circle. It is very much clear the investigating officer has not followed the procedure for arrest and detention of the accused as laid down by the Supreme Court,” the judge said.