Gurugram school murder: Court acquits bus conductor Ashok Kumar of all charges

GURUGRAM: In a major development Gurugram court on Wednesday acquitted bus conductor Ashok Kumar of all charges in the murder of a 7-year-old student at a Gurugram school last September. CBI had earlier given a clean chit to Ashok, who was arrested as prime accused by the Gurugram police within few hours of the murder.

The police had registered FIR against bus conductor Ashok Kumar under section 302 (murder) of IPC, 25 of Arms Act and 12 of POCSO Act on September 8. Ashok was granted bail on November 21.

Two officials of the school namely Francis Thomas and Jayesh Thomas, currently out on bail, booked under JJ Act for negligence in the safety and security of the children in the school were directed to appear before court on April 10.

Additional session judge J S Kundu while discharging Ashok of all charges observed that CBI had not found any evidence against him. CBI also prayed to discharge Ashok as no evidence was found against him. “No evidence has come on record to substantiate the involvement of conductor Ashok Kumar in committing the murder of Prince. No traces of sexual assault were found. No blood stain was found either on his cloths. Ashok's presence inside the washroom has been explained and found to be justified and true based on independent version of several witnesses and minute analysis of CCTV footage,” CBI has mentioned in its preliminary chargesheet filed on February 5.

The development has come as big relief to Ashok, who was made to confess the crime by Gurugram police. Mohit Verma, counsel for Ashok, said now they will file a case against Gurugram police for compensation. “Ashok was falsely implicated by the police and subjected to mental and physical torture during police custody,” said Verma adding that Gurugram police will have to compensate Ashok.

Discharging Ashok of all charges has again raised doubts over police investigation and why bus conductor was made accused. CBI during hearing on Wednesday argued that investigation related to school official and SIT formed by Gurugram police for investigation of the case is still in progress.

“Court has directed CBI to speed up the investigation and file final and conclusive chargesheet by April 10,” said Advocate Sushil Tekriwal, who is representing victim’s father in the case. CBI had filed partial chargesheet against juvenile on February 5.

Court has now fixed March 10 for final hearing and order over the appeal filed by juvenile challenging the order of Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) to treat juvenile, accused of murdering seven year old, as adult.