The Allahabad High Court has acquitted Dhami Ram, a centenarian who was convicted in a 1982 murder case, noting the prolonged 40-year pendency of his appeal and the immense social and emotional toll he endured. The court also pointed to the prosecution’s failure to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The case dates back to 1982 when a murder occurred over a land dispute in Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh. Three individuals — Maiku, Satti Din, and Dhami Ram — were accused. In 1984, the Sessions Court convicted Ram and Satti Din, sentencing them to life imprisonment, while Maiku remained absconding.
Shortly after his conviction, Dhami Ram was granted bail in 1984 and has remained free during the decades-long pendency of his appeal. Satti Din died during the course of proceedings, making Dhami Ram the sole surviving appellant.
A division bench of Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Sanjiv Kumar took into account the inordinate delay of over 40 years in deciding the appeal and the advanced age of the appellant, who is now around 100 years old. The court observed:
“The prolonged pendency of the appeal and the age of the accused are relevant considerations while moulding the relief. The anxiety, uncertainty, and social consequences suffered by the accused for decades cannot be ignored while assessing what justice now demands.”
The bench held that the acquittal was granted on the merits of the case, with the prosecution having failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
Ram’s counsel submitted that his client had only exhorted co-accused Maiku to fire at the victim, and had not participated directly in the act. This, along with the lack of direct evidence and prolonged passage of time, formed the basis for seeking acquittal.
Allowing the appeal, the High Court acquitted Dhami Ram and discharged his bail bond. The court emphasized that justice must take into account not only legal evidence but also the broader realities of time, ageing, and the burdens of long-drawn litigation.
