Date:17/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/17/stories/2007011723190300.htm

New Delhi

Prime accused in Safdarjung Hospital rape case acquitted

Staff Reporter

Court finds no worthwhile evidence against him `It seems the police acted in haste to work out the heinous offence '

NEW DELHI: A Sessions court here has acquitted Sanjay Kumar, prime accused in the Safdarjung Hospital rape case that was reported on September 14, 2005, on the ground that there was no worthwhile evidence against him. His alleged accomplice, Hari Om, to whom Sanjay was said to have sold the gold chain robbed from the victim, has also been acquitted.

Delivering the judgment, Additional Sessions Judge S. P. Garg said it seemed the police acted in haste in their anxiety to work out the heinous offence committed at a public place. He observed that the victim was never sure of the identity of the accused and there was no incriminating piece of evidence against the accused. The court also took into account that forensic examination of samples picked up from the clothes of the victims did not match the DNA profile of the accused.

The Delhi police had already filed a discharge petition facilitating release of the accused on bail three months after the incident was reported when the forensic reports first came in.

While the Sarojini Nagar police claimed to have worked out the case within 48 hours by arresting Sanjay, Police Commissioner K. K. Paul had transferred the case to the Crime Branch following allegations that the police, under tremendous pressure to solve the sensational case, had arrested the wrong person.

The court also said that while 15 gm of melted gold was recovered from Hari Om, there was nothing on record to show that Sanjay had actually sold the chain to him.