Kathua case: Failure to verify alibi of Vishal led to his acquittal, says court

A special court in Pathankot, which acquitted Vishal Jangotra in the Kathua gangrape and murder case for lack of evidence, underlined lapses in the investigation, PTI reported on Tuesday. Jangotra is the son of convict Sanji Ram. He was given the “benefit of doubt”.

The court said the prosecution failed to verify Jangotra’s alibi during the investigation, and blamed the Jammu Crime Branch for withholding the best evidence against him.

The court on Monday convicted six of the seven accused in the gangrape and murder of the eight-year-old girl. While three of the convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment, three others were given a five-year jail term each for destroying evidence.