Haldwani: Three years after a murder case that had shaken Haldwani in 2022, the court of the Second Additional District and Sessions Judge has acquitted all four accused, citing lack of evidence, contradictory witness statements, and investigative lapses. The case had created an uproar in the city three years ago after Neeraj’s death sparked outrage and demands for swift justice.
The case was filed by Govind Gaida, a resident of Dahariya, Rampur Road, who alleged that on July 6, 2022, Harish Brijwasi took him, his brother Neeraj, and others towards Kathgodam under the pretext of an outing. They stopped near a vacant plot beside a wine shop at Mandi Bypass, where a group of youths attacked Neeraj with sticks after speaking briefly with Brijwasi. Neeraj later succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Following the complaint, police registered a murder case and arrested Harish Brijwasi, Manish Saini, Lalit Mohan Negi, and Neeraj Sambhal. The prosecution alleged that Brijwasi had instigated the assault. However, the court found inconsistencies in witness testimonies and insufficient material evidence.
Advocate Rajan Mehra, who represented one of the accused, pointed out that although police claimed to have recovered sticks used in the assault, no proper recovery memo was prepared. CCTV footage also failed to confirm the presence of the accused at the crime scene. In addition, the FIR contained incorrect details about the accused’s address and parentage, further questioning the investigation’s reliability.
Witness statements were also found to be inconsistent. Some witnesses retracted their earlier claims during cross-examination, while others failed to identify the accused in court. The court observed that the prosecution could not establish a clear motive or prior enmity between the deceased and the accused. The alleged “old rivalry” mentioned in the FIR was not proven with evidence.
Citing these shortcomings, the court stated that the prosecution had failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, all four accused — Harish Brijwasi, Manish Saini, Lalit Mohan Negi, and Neeraj Sambhal — were acquitted of all charges.
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Legal experts say the verdict underscores the importance of thorough investigation and consistent evidence in serious criminal cases. The judgment also raises questions about procedural lapses in police handling of high-profile cases, which can lead to acquittals despite grave allegations.
