Woman acquitted after facing trial for 15 years

TNN | May 4, 2012

NEW DELHI: For 15 years she faced trial allegedly for bootlegging but when the time came for producing the case property - seized liquor - police could only produce empty cans before the court. 

With the mysterious disappearance of the seized illicit liquor and no other evidence at hand, a trial court has acquitted a woman saying the "improper condition" of the case property was fatal to the prosecution's case. Delhi resident Naresho was booked by police in May 1997 under the Punjab Excise Act after the alleged recovery of 75 pouches of illicit liquor from her. 

She had pleaded innocence, denying the allegation of recovery of liquor from her. 

During the trial, police could not produce the illicit liquor and the pouches were found to be empty. Taking a stern view, metropolitan magistrate Ashu Garg said, "When the case property was produced in the court, it was found that all the pouches were empty and the plastic can was damaged and in empty condition. 

"In such a case, there would always be a doubt as to the contents of the seized can."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Woman-acquitted-after-facing-trial-for-15-years/articleshow/12987674.cms