Hashimpura massacre: All 16 accused acquitted

NEW DELHI: All 16 accused Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel in the 1987 Hashimpura massacre case, related to the killing of 42 Muslims who were picked up from a village in UP’s Meerut, were acquitted on Saturday by a Delhi court of charges, with the judge giving them the benefit of doubt.

“All accused acquitted. I give them benefit of doubt for want of evidence, especially regarding their identity,” additional sessions judge Sanjay Jindal said. The court has referred the case to the Delhi State Legal Services Authority for rehabilitation of victims who have been truly identified.

The court had on February 21 fixed its verdict for Saturday after seeking some clarifications from the counsel for the prosecution, accused and victims. The court had earlier reserved the judgement on January 22 after hearing final arguments.