Shamli : A farmer, Dharampal of Haran village in Shamli district was booked in 1986 for allegedly making pesticide illegally in his house along with his brother, Kunwarpal and another man Liyakat Ali , has been acquitted after 400 court hearings in 35 years. for want of evidence by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate looking into the case.
“I have lost my reputation, money and mental peace during the long legal battle. It took long to get justice, but now I am happy that truth has prevailed. I would like to thank the honourable court for giving me relief. I have lost a lot of money and time making rounds to court for appearing in nearly 400 hearings in the case,” he told reporters. His brother, Kunwarpal, was a co-accused but he died five years ago. His ordeal brings to focus the delays in the judicial system and the difficulties caused to ordinary civilians because of the same.
In November 1986, Thana Bhawan police booked two brothers, Dharampal and Kunwarpal, and one Liyaqat Ali for allegedly making pesticide without licence. Police had also claimed to have recovered 26 bags of pesticide while they were being loaded into a truck. The three were booked under various sections of IPC, including section 420, and arrested them. After spending 18 days in jail, the three were released on bail. Thereafter, the case has dragged on till today, shedding light on the time taken to get justice in Indian courts.
