Bishnoi, 3 Others Acquitted in Arms Case; One Convicted in Kharar Court Ruling

In a significant development from the Kharar Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court, notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, alongside three other accused – Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, Kuldeep alias Kala Jatheri, and Rajpal alias Pali – have been acquitted in an Arms Act case. The verdict, delivered by CJM Manjinder Kaur, saw only one individual, Akash Kumar alias Akku from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, convicted in connection with the 2021 FIR lodged by the Special Task Force (STF) Haryana.

The case, which captivated attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused, stemmed from the recovery of a cache of illicit arms and ammunition.

According to the prosecution, the STF had raided a flat in Sunny Enclave, Kharar, back in 2021. The operation led to the seizure of three sophisticated pistols, two magazines, and 20 live cartridges. The FIR, number 110, was registered under Sections 25, 54, and 59 of the Arms Act at the Kharar City police station.

During the lengthy legal proceedings, the prosecution presented its case, aiming to establish the involvement of all accused in the illegal possession and trade of firearms.

However, Bishnoi, Bhagwanpuria, Jatheri, and Pali were ultimately discharged due to a lack of sufficient evidence to substantiate their direct involvement with the recovered weapons. Their defence teams successfully argued that the prosecution failed to conclusively link them to the flat or the specific armaments found.

Conversely, Akash Kumar alias Akku faced a different fate.

The court found enough evidence to hold him guilty in the matter. The details surrounding Akku's conviction, including the specific charges he was found liable for and the sentencing details, are expected to be elaborated upon as the legal process unfolds. This conviction underscores the court's meticulous approach in assessing individual culpability within complex criminal cases.

The acquittal of Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently incarcerated in a different high-profile case (the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala), in this particular Arms Act case adds another layer to his intricate legal saga.

Similarly, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Kuldeep Jatheri are also prominent figures in various criminal investigations. The verdict highlights the judiciary's commitment to due process, where each case is decided on its merits and the strength of the evidence presented.

This outcome in the Kharar court provides a clear distinction between the alleged criminal associations of these individuals and the specific evidentiary requirements for conviction in a particular case.

It serves as a reminder that even high-profile figures are subject to the same legal standards, with the burden of proof resting firmly on the prosecution.