By Paridhi Jain

In a significant development in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, a man named Anokhilal, who had been convicted and sentenced to death twice for the alleged rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl, was acquitted after his third trial. The presiding judge, Prachi Patel, emphasized the importance of the prosecution bearing the burden of proof and ensuring that court findings are based on evidence rather than emotions. Anokhilal was initially convicted in 2013, but the Supreme Court ordered a retrial in 2019, leading to another death sentence. However, the Madhya Pradesh High Court overturned this decision due to discrepancies in DNA reports. The recent trial revealed errors in DNA collection, sealing, and analysis, with semen found at the crime scene belonging to another individual. The court dismissed incriminating evidence such as Anokhilal’s flight from the scene, highlighting flaws in the investigation, including reliance on a stain from the victim’s pajamas as the sole DNA reference. The absence of Anokhilal’s DNA in samples from the victim’s body pointed towards his innocence. The court criticized the “last seen with” theory, highlighting the lack of evidence regarding the 36-hour gap between Anokhilal and the victim’s last sighting. Ultimately, Anokhilal was released on March 20 after spending approximately 11 years in prison, with the court citing discrepancies in the DNA report and flawed investigative procedures as grounds for acquittal.

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