An MP Court has acquitted 11 men accused of committing communal violence during the Ram Navami Procession on April 10, 2022, in Khargone.

The Fourth Additional Session Judge Mukesh Nath noted that the prosecution failed to prove the alleged offences against the men beyond reasonable doubt.

Per the prosecution, a group of Muslim men had attacked Hindu Homes with stones and petrol bombs, causing damage to residential areas and committing offences including criminal trespass (Section 447), house trespass (Section 448), actions endangering life and safety (Section 336), mischief causing damage (Section 427), mischeif by fire or explosive substances (Section 435 and 436) of the IPC and offences under the Explosive Substances Act

The court noted that the prosecution had failed to establish the guilt of the accused men beyond reasonable doubt, as 8 out of the 13 witnesses examined by the prosecution did not support their case and failed to identify the accused men before the court.

The court further noted that the prosecution's case rested on the testimony of one eyewitness, which was also recorded 51 days after the incident without any explanation. The said eyewitness was not named in the FIR or original written complaint.

Further, the court noted that no test identification parade was conducted. The court also took note of the forensic science laboratory report, which did not detect any petroleum substance, which contradicted the prosecution's allegations regarding petrol bombs.

Emphasising that the accused men had faced prolonged incarceration ranging from 462-827 days, the court held that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

This incident of 2022 also led to the filing of a writ petition by a resident of Khargone District whose property was demolished by the State, allegedly with a vendetta against him for belonging to the Muslim Community. The petition is currently pending before the High Court.

The petitioner claimed that the action of the State authorities was a part of the demolition drive initiated by them after the Khargone riots, as his property was demolished two days after the incident. He further pointed out the statement made by the State Home Minister, whereby the Minister had put the blame on the Muslim community for wreaking violence over the city during the riots.

Case Title: State of Madhya Pradesh v Ibadat,

For State: Additional Public Prosecutor Yuvraj Gujrathi

For Accused Men: Advocates Harish Kumar Tripathi, Rekha Shrivastava and MA Khan