Bombay High Court acquits Kurla cop of killing wife

The Bombay High Court has acquitted a policeman from Kurla from the charges of murdering his wife by strangulating her. The court observed that the prosecution had utterly failed to prove it case. The court has ordered release of the cop, who is in jail, at once.

When was the crime committed
Sub-inspector Vijay Kamble's wife Alka was found dead on a footpath in Kurla on December 30, 2005. Kamble told the court that just before the incident, he, his son and nephew Kunal had returned from his father-in-law Anant Malgaonkar's house and Alka was not there. In his petition, Kamble said he was not aware of Alka's whereabouts.

What charges did Kamble face?
The prosecution alleged that Kamble used to ill-treat Alka and would doubt her character. It said after the family returned home, Alka walked out of the place in a huff. Kamble followed her and strangled her with a dupatta, claimed the prosecution.

What was trial court's decision?
The sessions court had in April 2007 convicted Kamble under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. Following this, Kamble moved the HC for relief.

What did HC observe?
A division bench of justices PV Hardas and BP Colabawalla observed that the defence claim of false plea by Kamble could not be considered an additional circumstance to prove the offence. "The prosecution has not established the guilt of the accused beyond doubt."

The HC also observed that the prosecution neither produced any witness nor evidence to establish that Kamble was seen along with Alka near the crime spot. "The appellant, in our opinion, therefore, would be entitled to be given the benefit of doubt," said the judges in their order on September 1.