Deoghar — In a major legal development, a local court has acquitted all 19 accused in the Rikhia Case (No. 80/2019), which dates back to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, citing insufficient evidence and inconsistent witness testimonies.
Background of the Case
The incident took place near Baidyanathpur Chowk shortly after the 2019 polls. Tensions escalated when locals grew suspicious about a truck allegedly transporting electronic voting machines (EVMs) under administrative supervision. The situation led to protests and a road blockade in the area.
Key Court Observations
A crucial turning point came when a key witness stated in court that no vehicles were looted and no property damage had occurred during the incident. This testimony significantly weakened the prosecution’s case.
The defense, represented by advocates Pritam Singh and Rajesh Kumar Shahi, argued that the allegations were unsubstantiated. After reviewing all submissions, the court concluded that the evidence presented was inadequate to secure a conviction.
Reactions from Leaders
Following the verdict, former Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Shashank Shekhar Bhokta said the judgment reaffirmed that truth ultimately prevails.
Deoghar MLA Suresh Paswan also welcomed the decision, stating that the prosecution failed to present credible evidence and expressing confidence in the judicial process.
List of Acquitted Individuals
Those acquitted include Shashank Shekhar Bhokta, Suresh Paswan, Munnam Sanjay, Suresh Shah, Binod Verma, Bhutnath Yadav, Devnandan Jha, Deepak Singh Rajput, Manikant Yadav, Beni Choubey, Ranjit Yadav, Dinesh Anand Jha, Aditya Sarolia, Kunal Singh, Rahul Singh, Sudhir Das, Sunil Yadav, Dilip Yadav, and Rajesh Yadav.