The Allahabad High Court has acquitted “Ryan,” the death-row convict in the murder case of NIA Deputy SP Mohammad Tanzil Ahmed and his wife Farzana. The court has ordered his immediate release.
The High Court stated in its judgment that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient concrete evidence to prove the charges against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. The court clarified that a person cannot be held guilty based solely on suspicion or conjecture.
Background of the Incident
The case dates back to April 2, 2016, when unidentified assailants opened fire on NIA Deputy SP Tanzil Ahmed and his wife in the Syohaara area of Bijnor. Both died on the spot. The post-mortem report confirmed that Tanzil Ahmed had 24 gunshot wounds, while Farzana had multiple other injuries.
Investigation and Lower Court Verdict
Following the incident, the UP Police and NIA conducted a joint investigation. During the initial probe, the suspects were identified, and some were arrested. The lower court had convicted Ryan and his co-accused Munir, sentencing them to death.
High Court Verdict
The High Court observed that the lower court had convicted the accused despite serious gaps in the evidence. Ryan has been acquitted of all charges, and his death sentence has been quashed. Meanwhile, co-accused Munir had passed away during the pendency of his appeal.
According to legal experts, this verdict is a significant example of evidence-based justice. Even in serious cases like murder, if forensic evidence, witness testimony, or other concrete proof is lacking, the court can overturn the conviction.
