Archive · 22 Jul 2026
Thane Court Acquits Man in 2007 Wife Burning Case
A man named Suresh Sanjiv Shetty was accused of setting his wife on fire in 2007.
The court looked at different statements made by his wife after the incident.
The first statement, made on the same day as the incident, said that the stove blasted accidentally while she was cooking tea.
The second statement, made two days later, accused her husband.
The court decided that the first statement was more reliable because it was made closer to the time of the incident and was less likely to be influenced by others.
The court also said that the husband's decision to leave for several years did not prove his guilt.
Therefore, the court decided that the husband was not guilty and dropped all charges against him.
A man was accused of setting his wife on fire in 2007, leading to her death three days later.
The court considered multiple dying declarations, with the earliest one stating the incident was an accident.
The prosecution relied on a later declaration that accused the husband, but the court found it unreliable.
The court acquitted the husband, stating that the earliest declaration was more trustworthy.
The court also dismissed the prosecution's argument that the husband's abscondance indicated guilt.
- Who
- Suresh Sanjiv Shetty, accused of setting his wife on fire
- What
- Acquittal of Suresh Sanjiv Shetty in a 2007 murder case
- When
- March 20, 2007 (incident), July 22, 2024 (court decision)
- Where
- Thane, India
- Why
- The court found that the earliest dying declaration was more reliable and that the prosecution failed to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt
Prosecution's Argument
Defense's Argument
Reliability of Dying Declarations
Prosecution's Argument
The prosecution relied on a dying declaration recorded two days after the incident, which accused the husband of setting his wife on fire.
Defense's Argument
The defense argued that the earliest dying declaration, recorded on the day of the incident, stated that the stove accidentally blasted while the wife was cooking tea, and that the husband had no involvement.
Abscondance of the Accused
Prosecution's Argument
The prosecution argued that the accused's abscondance for several years after the crime indicated his guilt.
Defense's Argument
The defense contended that abscondance cannot be treated as a substitute for proof and does not necessarily indicate guilt.
- Date of Incident
- March 20, 2007
- Date of Court Decision
- July 22, 2024
- Percentage of Burns Sustained
- 60%
- Days After Incident Before Death
- 3 days
- Judge's Name
- Sessions Judge R D Sawant
- Defense Advocate
- Advocate Rajan Salunkhe