Delhi court discharges Lawrence Bishnoi in ₹1cr extortion case
What's the story
A Delhi court has discharged gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and two others in an alleged ₹1 crore extortion case. The accused were discharged by Chief Judicial Magistrate Nupur Gupta in a case registered at the Sunlight Colony police station, according to Times Now. The complainant, Raman Deep Singh, had alleged receiving threatening calls demanding ₹1 crore between April 23 and 24, 2023.
Evidence review
Prosecution failed to provide adequate evidence
The court found that the prosecution failed to provide adequate evidence to establish the charges. It noted that Section 386 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) requires actual delivery of property under threat, which was missing from both Singh's complaint and the chargesheet. "Neither the complainant has alleged any delivery of property under threat nor the same has been alleged in the entire charge-sheet," said Judge Gupta in her order dated February 20.
Evidence deficiency
No overt act to show threat
The court also found no "overt act" to show that Bishnoi and his associates had put Singh in fear of death or grievous hurt, as required under Section 387 of the IPC. The judge noted that Singh only mentioned receiving calls demanding ₹1 crore without any mention of a physical act or delivery under threat. Investigators failed to procure call records or other material evidence, relying mainly on disclosure statements from co-accused persons.
Discharge order
Court directs to furnish bail bonds
The court observed that apart from the disclosure statement, there was no evidence to constitute the offenses charged against Bishnoi and his associates. It directed them to furnish bail bonds of ₹20,000 with one surety each. On March 6, after furnishing these bail bonds, Bishnoi and his associates were discharged from the case.