Summary: On February 27, 2026, the High Court of Delhi confirmed that Sanjeev Singh and Shivji Jaiswal were not guilty in a murder case because there wasn't enough evidence and the investigation had many mistakes.
On November 15, 2010, a dead body was found in Punjabi Bagh, Delhi. The person who died, Rakesh, was identified by his coworkers, Vimlesh and Munesh. The police claimed that Sanjeev Singh and Shivji Jaiswal attacked Rakesh because of a fight over alcohol.
Sanjeev Singh and Shivji Jaiswal were accused of murder and causing harm. The trial court found them not guilty on November 15, 2014, because there wasn't enough evidence to prove they did it.
"Both accused Sanjeev Singh and Shivji Jaiswal @ Guddu are acquitted... Benefit of doubt is given."
On November 14, 2010, there was a fight at a liquor shop in Punjabi Bagh. Sanjeev Singh and Shivji Jaiswal supposedly asked for a certain liquor, which led to a confrontation. Later, a fight happened near the Metro Station, where the person who died was beaten.
The investigation was criticized for several reasons: - Contradictory Witness Statements: Key witnesses, Vimlesh and Munesh, gave inconsistent accounts. - Lack of Immediate Reporting: Even though they knew Sanjeev Singh and Shivji Jaiswal, the witnesses didn't tell the police right away. - Questionable Evidence: The iron rod, supposedly used in the crime, did not match the medical evidence.
The court found the prosecution's case weak due to: - Inconsistent Testimonies: Witnesses changed their statements about the attack. - Unnatural Conduct: The delay in reporting and lack of immediate action raised doubts. - Defective Investigation: Important evidence, like blood-stained clothes, was not collected.
The High Court, led by Justices Madhu Jain and Prathiba M. Singh, confirmed the decision to let Sanjeev Singh and Shivji Jaiswal go free, pointing out that the prosecution didn't remove all reasonable doubts about their guilt.
