The Metropolitan Magistrate court in Karjat has acquited NCP MLA Suresh Lad of all charges after finding him not guilty as the prosecution failed to prove the case against him . The police had charged him of assaulting a government servant when he allegedly slapped the Deputy Collector (land acquisition) Abhay Kargutkar, reportedly after a disagreement over compensation to farmers for land acquisition. The court examined a total of 12 witnesses in the case. Adv, Aniket Nikam who appeared for Lad pointed out the glaring contradictions in the testimony of eye witnesses and the complainant. Mr. Nikam further argued that there was delay of 6 days in lodging the FIR and no satisfactory explanation was given to justify it. The complainant stated that his mental condition was not proper and hence there was delay in lodging the complaint. However, it was brought on record to the court that the complainant was regularly going to his office and discharging his duties. There was nothing to suggest that he was under pressure. As far as electronic evidence is concerned, the prosecution failed to establish the authenticity of the electronic evidence. The CCTV footage was not sent to forensic expert and proper legal procedure was also not followed. It was argued by Mr. Nikam that the incident happened in Tehsildar Office and there is nothing on record to show that the complainant had obtained the permission from Tehsildar Office to hold his meeting in that office. Hence, in absence of such permission it cannot be said that the complainant was not discharging his official duties. The court observed in its order that the prosecution failed to bring on record that the informant at the time of incident was discharging his official duty and hence acquited Lad. LAD’S DEFENCE

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