MCOCA court acquits 10 accused in 2016 Ranjeet Khandagle murder case, citing lack of evidence | Representational Image
Mumbai: The Thane Special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court has acquitted 10 men arrested by the Thane Police in 2017 for the alleged murder of Ranjeet Khandagle, alias Bunty, in October 2016. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove mens rea (criminal intent), thereby granting the accused the benefit of doubt.
Judge Amit M. Shete, in a 56-page judgment, observed significant flaws in the prosecution’s case and noted that the evidence presented failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
“On perusal of the entire evidence on record, there appears reasonable doubt regarding the prosecution’s version, including the accounts of eyewitnesses and the alleged motive. The prosecution and witnesses failed to establish the serious offence of murder beyond all reasonable doubt. The investigation agency committed grave errors, possibly influenced or misguided by the witnesses. As a result, the accused are entitled to the benefit of the doubt,” the court stated in its judgment.
The case dates back to October 24, 2016, when Abhijeet Khandagle, the deceased’s brother, reported that Ranjeet had been stabbed to death near a Shiv Mandir in Bhiwandi. According to the prosecution, Ranjeet was attacked by the accused with knives and blunt objects due to a political rivalry.
Abhijeet found Ranjeet with severe injuries to his head, forehead, shoulders, elbows, chest, stomach, and other parts of the body. Before succumbing to his injuries, Ranjeet reportedly identified the accused as his attackers.
The accused sought bail, but both the trial court and the High Court rejected their applications. In March 2021, the High Court noted that the material on record justified denying bail, citing Section 21(4) of the MCOCA Act, which bars bail when reasonable grounds suggest the accused might intimidate or threaten witnesses.
The Sessions Court highlighted several flaws in the investigation and prosecution:
The prosecution had relied on the accused’s prior criminal history and sought permission from then Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh to apply MCOCA charges. However, the court noted that merely proving the sanction does not automatically establish an offence under the MCOCA.
The court found issues with the confessional statement recorded by then DCP Zone-I, Abhishek Trimukhe. The accused, Abhishek Nimbolkar, claimed he was forced to sign the statement and later disowned it before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Thane. The court ruled that the confessional statement was unreliable and could not be used against the accused.
Acquitted Accused
The court acquitted the following individuals:
1. Akshay Patil (28)
2. Rohit Patil (27)
3. Anil Shekar (25)
4. Ajinkya Jadhav (25)
5. Abhishek Nimbolkar (28)
6. Anil Shekar (26)
7. Sachin Wadkar (36)
8. Rishikesh Patil (26)
9. Bharat Patil (28)
10. Rupesh Khandagle (38)
The court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, emphasizing the lack of reliable evidence and procedural lapses. Consequently, the 10 accused were acquitted of all charges.
