Delhi: Court Acquits Acid Attack Accused Citing Contradictory Evidence and FIR Delay

Delhi’s Karkardooma Court has acquitted Golu, the accused in a 2019 acid attack case, citing contradictions in the versions of the offense and offender, a delay in the registration of the FIR, and inconclusive medical reports. The case, registered at the Patparganj Industrial Area Police Station, involved the death of the victim.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Subhash Kumar Mishra delivered the verdict, granting Golu the benefit of the doubt. “The prosecution has failed to prove its case due to contradictory versions regarding the offense, delayed FIR registration, and the medical reports,” stated ASJ Mishra in the judgment dated September 10.

The court emphasized the lack of a reasonable explanation for the delayed FIR, and noted inconsistencies in the victim’s statements. The victim had initially informed the doctor and police at the hospital of a different sequence of events, claiming he had been assaulted by multiple individuals and set on fire, differing from his later statement where he accused Golu of pouring acid on him.

Further, the medical reports from GTB Hospital recorded that the victim suffered injuries after being attacked and set on fire by 5-6 individuals on September 25, 2019. This contradicted the victim’s account, where he did not mention being set on fire. “This contradiction further deepens the cloud of doubt in the case of the prosecution,” the court observed.

Additionally, Dr. Vinod Kumar KN of Lady Hardinge Medical College submitted a report indicating that the cause of death remained uncertain, with the burn area covering less than 9% of the body. The court noted that it could not be definitively stated that the victim died due to the alleged burn injuries, as the wound region appeared healthy.

The court pointed out that except for the victim’s statement, no other witness had observed the incident, and the FIR was filed with considerable delay. “Even the victim’s brother, despite being informed of the incident, did not report it to the police,” the court added.

The court highlighted further discrepancies, noting that the victim had provided different versions of the incident to the doctor and in his complaint. One medical document stated the victim claimed he was set on fire, while another mentioned acid being poured on him.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred a few days before October 23, 2019, when the victim and Golu visited a closed wine shop. During their return, an altercation occurred, during which Golu allegedly poured acid on the victim. However, due to the inconsistencies and the nature of the evidence presented, the court acquitted Golu.