Mumbai: The sessions court at Dindoshi on Monday acquitted Shahazeb Ansari (25), who was prosecuted for allegedly killing 18-year-old Sonam Shukla in 2022, citing lack of evidence.
**About The Case**
The prosecution had claimed that Ansari and Shukla were allegedly in a relationship. Shukla was reportedly last seen in Ansari’s company at his residence. Ansari, who runs a bakery, and Shukla, a resident of the same locality, are said to have developed a relationship as she frequented his shop.
Shukla went missing on April 24, 2022. Her father stated that she had left the house saying she was going to a friend’s place. She was reportedly there until 8:30 pm and was not found afterward.
According to the prosecution, Shukla’s body was discovered in a plastic gunny bag on Versova beach on April 28, 2022. Her body was in a decomposed condition. The prosecution also claimed she was strangled with an internet wire, and her hands and legs were tied with the same wire.
On the day Shukla went missing, the prosecution alleged that she had visited Ansari’s house when his family members were not present. It was claimed that an argument broke out between the two, leading Ansari to attack and strangle her in the heat of the moment. He allegedly dumped her body in a gunny bag and disposed of it at Malad creek.
The defense, however, contended that the prosecution failed to prove the chain of circumstances. Additionally, the prosecution did not examine Shukla’s friend, who could have been a key witness. The defense also argued that the relationship between Ansari and Shukla, along with any motive, was not established sufficiently.
Considering the lack of concrete evidence, the court gave the benefit of doubt to Ansari and acquitted him of all charges.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-sessions-court-acquits-25-year-old-man-in-2022-sonam-shukla-murder-case-for-want-of-evidence
