Thane court acquits man in 2015 triple murder case

The prosecution alleged that Parmar wanted to end the relationship but faced resistance from Taniya, and they quarrelled frequently. Representational Pic

A sessions court in Maharashtra's Thane district has acquitted a 44-year-old jeweller accused of killing three people, including a 13-month-old child, in a 2015 arson case, citing insufficient witness testimony and lack of conclusive evidence.

Principal District and Sessions Court judge S B Agrawal on Friday acquitted Bahadursingh Vadansingh Parmar, a jeweller, of charges under sections 302 (murder) and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy a house, etc.) of the Indian Penal Code, reported PTI.

The prosecution alleged that on the intervening night of December 30 and 31, 2015, Parmar set ablaze Shukila Babalu Shaikh (18), Taniya Bahadur Singh, and their 13-month-old son Jaydev Bahadur Singh in their residence at Mira Road (east), reported PTI.

The prosecution claimed that Parmar was in a relationship with Taniya, a waitress, and the two were cohabiting.

Jaydev was their son, and Taniya's sister Shukila had been residing with them.

The prosecution alleged that Parmar wanted to end the relationship but faced resistance from Taniya, and they quarrelled frequently.

The prosecution claimed that Parmar purchased petrol, poured it under the door of the room where the victims were sleeping, and set it on fire before fleeing the scene.

Judge Agrawal pointed out that the testimonies of Vivek Ravindra Mane, the housing society chairman, who claimed to have seen CCTV footage of Parmar and an employee and owner of the petrol pump, were not of much help to the prosecution and were insufficient.

"From the entire investigation, it is apparent that the same is carried out in a quite casual manner, although it was the case of a triple murder and that too by setting the victims ablaze. The CCTV footage that could have been crucial evidence has not been duly proved," the court stated, reported PTI.

Waste fires rage in Thane's protected green zones, environmentalist raises alarm

A city-based environmentalist has alleged that municipal waste is being dumped and burned on a large scale in forest areas, wildlife zones, and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas of Thane. The activity is reportedly happening near Gaimukh, adjacent to Ghodbunder Road and close to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).

Along with his email, Stalin D shared pictures and videos, also mentioning the GPS coordinates so that it would be easier for the authorities to go to the location and verify the details mentioned in the complaint.

(With PTI inputs)