Thane, Aug 6 The sessions court here on Thursday acquitted a 40-year-old engineer of the charge of abetting the suicide of his pregnant wife in 2016, holding that the prosecution failed to establish intentional cruelty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Tahira, the wife of Viquar Jainuddin Shaikh, died by hanging on November 27, 2016, at their residence in Regency Heights, Brahmand, Thane.
Her family alleged that Shaikh subjected her to physical and mental harassment, neglected her during her pregnancy, and had extra-marital affairs. However, the court observed that ordinary marital spats or minor neglect do not amount to criminal abetment.
The relationship between the couple might have been strained when Tahira died, but there was nothing on record to show that the accused was having "mens rea" or intention of instigating a suicide, said Additional Sessions Judge Mahesh S Lone.
The court also noted serious prosecution lapses, including the absence of forensic handwriting reports for alleged suicide notes.
The accused was represented by Advocate M Z G Shaikh.
