HC nixes death term, frees man in 1997 Pune multiple-murder case – Times of India
MUMBAI: In a 27-year-old Pune case of robbery and multiple murders, a key accused tried separately on his re-arrest 13 years after allegedly fleeing from custody— who was convicted and sentenced to death in 2021 — stood acquitted on Monday by Bombay high court. The HC directed that he be released “forthwith”.The accused, Bhagwat Kale, was then a watchman at a construction site and did other odd jobs. The victims were four members of a family, including two children. The alleged motive was robbery of cash and silver ornaments worth roughly Rs 49 lakh.The state sought confirmation of the noose from HC as required by law for capital punishment. HC set him at liberty, holding no case was established to either nail him or hang him. A division bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpa...