Hashimpura massacre case: HC to pronounce verdict today

NEW DELHI The Delhi High Court is slated to pronounce on Wednesday its verdict on pleas challenging a trial court’s decision to acquit 16 policemen of charges of murder and other crimes in the 1987 Hashimpura case in which 42 people were killed.

The high court had on September 6 reserved its verdict on the appeals filed by Uttar Pradesh state, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and some private parties including a survivor of the massacre Zulfiqar Nasir.

It had also reserved its judgement on BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s plea seeking further probe to ascertain the alleged role of the then Minister of State for Home P Chidambaram in the case.

The court had on February 17, 2016, tagged Swamy’s plea with the other petitions in the matter.

On March 21, 2015 a trial court here had given the benefit of doubt and acquitted 16 former Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel accused of killing 42 people in Meerut, saying lack of evidence has failed to establish their identification.

Nineteen people were named as accused and charges were framed against 17 of them for offences of murder, attempt to murder, tampering with evidence and conspiracy, by the court here in 2006.

The case was transferred to Delhi on a Supreme Court direction in September 2002 following a petition by the families of the massacre victims and survivors.

A trial court had on March 8, 2013 dismissed Swamy’s plea for further probe to ascertain the role of Chidambaram, who was a Union Minister between 1986 and 1989, in the incident saying he has no locus standi and it is only the police who can move an application for further probe.

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