Thane Court Acquits 17 in 2015 Diva Station Rioting Case

Overview

• Additional Sessions Judge Vasudha L. Bhosale delivered the verdict on September 8, with the judgment copy made public on September 14.
• The case arose from a January 2, 2015 rail roko near Diva station after train delays, with police alleging stone pelting, vandalism and assaults on officers.
• The court found a total failure to identify any accused with specific overt acts and noted the absence of independent witnesses such as commuters, shopkeepers or railway staff.
• Police testimony relied on video recordings that the court deemed improperly collected and inadmissible, while medical records did not substantiate claims of stone-pelting injuries.
• Investigative lapses included a defective panchnama, no expert valuation of property damage and an unexplained FIR delay; two of the 19 accused died during the trial and the remaining 17 were acquitted of IPC and PDPP charges.