Mumbai: The Thane Sessions Court has acquitted Art Director Sushant Panda (42), a resident of Sakinaka, Andheri, who was arrested on charges of allegedly attempting to kill his live-in partner’s father, Ramprasad Yadav (name changed), in 2018.
The court, in its judgment, maintained that the defense taken by the accused — that he had broken ties with the victim’s daughter and had also stopped providing her with monthly financial aid, shows that it can be a reason for for falsely implicated Panda in the case.
While acquitting Panda, the court held that although the key witnesses, including the victim, Divya’s father, deposed about the incident and attributed overt acts to the accused, their conduct raised reasonable doubt, which entitled the accused to the benefit of the doubt.
The court, presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Amit M. Shete, in its 17-page order, observed that Panda was in a live-in relationship with the victim’s daughter, Divya (name changed). However, the relationship had become strained, and Divya had started distancing herself from Panda. It was alleged that Divya had entered into a relationship with another man, which Panda did not approve of.
In her statement, Divya mentioned that while Panda was in Canada, she gave birth to a girl from the other relationship. Upon learning this, Panda severed all ties with her.
The court’s order further revealed that Panda, who had been providing Divya with regular financial aid of around ₹25,000, stopped doing so, which caused a financial crisis for Divya. She allegedly attempted to reconcile with Panda, but he refused. Aggrieved by his refusal, Divya and her family members allegedly concocted a story to implicate Panda in the case.
In 2018, Panda visited Divya’s house in Mira Road. He rang the doorbell continuously and called out for Divya. At that time, Ramprasad opened the main door. Ramprasad later claimed that Panda allegedly suddenly struck him with a sharp-edged steel cutter, causing a serious bleeding injury. Ramprasad was taken to the hospital by his son and Divya.
In his defense, Panda argued that Ramprasad had already sustained the injury and that the family falsely accused him of attempted murder. The court’s order also noted that Panda had fallen in love with Divya, who worked as a singer in a dance bar. They were in a live-in relationship.
