Ahmedabad court acquits RJ Krunal Desai in wife's 2016 dowry and abetment to suicide case

A Sessions Court in Ahmedabad Rural has acquitted RJ Krunal Desai of charges related to the dowry death and abetment to suicide of his wife Bhumi Panchal, citing lack of evidence.

The case dates back to early 2016 when Bhumi allegedly died by jumping from the ‘H’ block of Sachin Tower in Anandnagar.

Following her death, Bhumi’s mother filed a complaint alleging that Krunal and his parents had subjected her daughter to physical and mental torture. The prosecution claimed the accused demanded ₹25,00,000 for property and harassed Bhumi over her previous marriage, eventually driving her to take her own life just months after her wedding in November 2015.

During the trial, the prosecution argued that under Section 113(A) and 113(B) of the Indian Evidence Act, the accused has to provide evidence to prove that he is innocent. However, the defence counsel argued that the applicant accused cannot be held guilty based on presumption. The complainant has to provide reliable evidence to prove the case.

The court noted that the multiple panch witnesses failed to support the recovery of evidence, such as mobile phones and WhatsApp chats. Although CCTV cameras were present at the scene, the police failed to produce the footage in court.

The court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the charges of dowry death (IPC 304-B), cruelty (IPC 498-A), and abetment to suicide (IPC 306) beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, Krunal Desai was acquitted of all charges.