Acid attack case: Gujarat High Court grants interim relief to woman awarded 10-year sentence

In a recent legal development, the Gujarat High Court has granted interim relief to a woman who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for an acid attack. The court suspended her sentence pending the final decision on her appeal, as the prosecution's evidence did not establish her identity "beyond reasonable doubt". The case involves an attack on Rakesh Brahmbhatt, a 51-year-old bus conductor, in January 2024.

The assailant, identified as Mahezbinbanu Chhuvara, allegedly threw acid at Brahmbhatt with the motive of jealousy and malice. However, the prosecution's evidence had several gaps, including the identification of the assailant, CCTV footage, and the absence of physical evidence like the assailant's clothes and gloves. The court also noted inconsistencies in the testimony of Brahmbhatt's son, who claimed to have seen the assailant fleeing the scene.

Despite these issues, the prosecution argued that the evidence presented by the complainant, investigating officer, eyewitness, and medical officer was sufficient. The High Court has now suspended the sentence, allowing Chhuvara to be released on bail with a fresh bond of Rs 15,000 and one surety of the same amount. She is prohibited from leaving India without the High Court's permission and is required to appear in the criminal appeal whenever it is listed.