Accused in 146;92 riots acquitted

The Special riots court set up to hear the 1992-93 communal clashes acquitted a person accused of rioting and inciting mob violence. Irshad Ahmed Sardar Shaikh was accused of inciting mob violence and pelting stones on religious places.

According to the police, on December 12, 1992, Shaikh along with 50 other men gathered at the chowk opposite Jogeshwari police station. He was armed and was shouting 8216;anti- India8217; slogans. The police in its case claimed that Shaikh had attacked several passersby. The case against him was registered on December 14, 1992. Complainant Ashok Borkar in his statement had stated that Shaikh along with others was trying to set shops on fire.

The police had arrested 19 people in connection with the incident. Of these, nine accused were acquitted earlier, six accused are absconding and three are dead.Shaikh was the only accused whose case remained pending. The court acquitted Shaikh because of lack of evidence.

Of the 10 witnesses examined by the prosecution, nine were police officers. Many witness deviated from their earlier statement.