Archive · 22 Jul 2026
Thane Court Acquits Man in 19-Year-Old Wife Burning Case
A man named Suresh Shetty was accused of burning his wife Meena in 2007.
The court decided to let him go because there were conflicting statements from Meena about what happened.
At first, she said it was an accident caused by a stove bursting while she was making tea.
Later, she said her husband poured kerosene on her and set her on fire.
The court found the second statement unreliable and noted that no one complained about the husband for two days after the incident.
The court also found a burst stove at the scene, which supported the idea that the burns were accidental.
The husband had run away for 12 years, but the court said that doesn't prove guilt.
So, the court decided there wasn't enough proof to say the husband was guilty.
Suresh Sanjiv Shetty was accused of murdering his wife Meena by pouring kerosene on her and setting her on fire in 2007.
The Thane Sessions Court acquitted Shetty due to contradictory dying declarations and insufficient evidence.
Meena's initial statements described the incident as accidental, while a later statement alleged her husband's involvement.
The court found the second dying declaration unreliable and noted inconsistencies in the prosecution's case.
The defense argued that a burst stove at the scene supported the accidental nature of the incident.
- Who
- Suresh Sanjiv Shetty, accused of murdering his wife Meena Shetty
- What
- Acquittal of Suresh Shetty in a 2007 wife-burning case due to contradictory dying declarations and insufficient evidence
- When
- Incident occurred on March 20, 2007; acquittal on July 22, 2023
- Where
- Thane, Maharashtra, India
- Why
- Contradictory dying declarations and insufficient evidence led to the acquittal
Prosecution's Argument
Defense's Argument
Dying Declarations
Prosecution's Argument
The prosecution argued that the second dying declaration, where Meena Shetty alleged her husband poured kerosene on her, was truthful and should be considered.
Defense's Argument
The defense contended that the second dying declaration was unreliable and inconsistent with the first, which described the incident as accidental.
Evidence from the Scene
Prosecution's Argument
The prosecution relied on the absence of a stove burst as evidence of foul play.
Defense's Argument
The defense argued that the spot panchanama, which recorded the seizure of a burst brass stove, supported the accidental nature of the incident.
Accused's Conduct
Prosecution's Argument
The prosecution argued that the accused's abscondence for 12 years indicated his guilt.
Defense's Argument
The defense argued that abscondence cannot be treated as proof of guilt and that the accused may have fled out of fear of arrest.
- Date of Incident
- March 20, 2007
- Date of Acquittal
- July 22, 2023
- Accused
- Suresh Sanjiv Shetty
- Victim
- Meena Shetty
- Location
- Thane, Maharashtra, India
- Court
- Thane Sessions Court
- Judge
- Sessions Judge R.D. Sawant
- Section of IPC
- Section 302 (Murder)