Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Mumbai Court Acquits Man in 2014 Burn Case
A man named Santosh Gawade was accused of setting a woman named Sarika on fire in 2014.
They were in a relationship and worked together.
The incident happened at a friend's house in Andheri, Mumbai.
Sarika was taken to the hospital but died 16 days later.
The court decided to let Gawade go because the police did not do a good job investigating.
They did not check Sarika's clothes for evidence, and there was no proof that Gawade used kerosene to set her on fire.
The court said the police did not show enough evidence to prove that Gawade did it on purpose.
Santosh Gawade was accused of setting Sarika on fire in 2014 following a quarrel.
The court acquitted Gawade due to investigative lapses and lack of evidence proving homicide.
Prosecution claimed Gawade and Sarika were in a relationship and worked together as hairdressers.
Sarika's initial statement said she got burnt while preparing tea, but later statements implicated Gawade.
The court rejected the dying declaration due to technical deficiencies and noted forensic gaps in the investigation.
- Who
- Santosh Gawade, accused; Sarika, victim
- What
- Acquittal in a 2014 burn case due to lack of evidence
- When
- Incident on March 10, 2014; Court decision on January 28
- Where
- Andheri, Mumbai
- Why
- Prosecution failed to prove homicide; investigative lapses and lack of forensic evidence
- Accused
- Santosh Gawade
- Victim
- Sarika
- Date of Incident
- March 10, 2014
- Location
- Andheri, Mumbai
- Court Decision
- Acquittal due to lack of evidence
- Investigation Lapses
- Failure to seize and examine clothes, no forensic evidence of kerosene
- Relationship
- Gawade and Sarika were in a relationship and worked together as hairdressers