Pulwama, Feb 16: The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Pulwama on Monday acquitted an accused in a 19-year-old murder case, observing that the prosecution had failed to establish his involvement in the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case dates back to August 28, 2007, when Police Choki Keller recovered the body of Mohammad Yousuf Kalas, son of Sharief-ud-Din Kalas of Nasarpora, near a water tank. Following the recovery, FIR No. 79/2007 was registered and, after completion of the investigation, a chargesheet was filed against three accused persons.
During the prolonged trial, two of the accused passed away. The remaining accused, Riyaz Ahmad Kohli of Pulwama, faced trial and contested the allegations through his counsel.
The prosecution examined ten witnesses cited in the challan. After completion of prosecution evidence, the statement of the accused was recorded under Section 342 Cr.PC in May 2025. Arguments were subsequently heard before the court examined the material on record.
In its detailed judgment, the court held that the prosecution had not produced cogent, reliable and legally admissible evidence linking the accused to the commission of the offence. It noted that except for documents placed on record pursuant to court orders, no defence evidence was led by the accused. However, considering the overall evidence and circumstances, the court concluded that the accused’s participation in the alleged crime was not proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Accordingly, Riyaz Ahmad Kohli was acquitted of all charges. [KNT]
