Representative image PRAYAGRAJ: After decades of waiting, Dhani Ram finally won his freedom in his 100th year. Allahabad high court last month acquitted the Hamirpur native, convicted in 1984 for a 1982 murder tied to a property feud. Though sentenced to life, he was released on bail that same year, spending 42 years waiting for finality while his appeal crawled through the docket.A division bench of Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Sanjiv Kumar, in a 23-page ruling dated Jan 21, tore into contradictions they found in the prosecution’s case — from unreliable testimony of two eyewitnesses to omissions in FIR and what the court called “inherent improbabilities.”With main accused Maiku absconding since 1982 and allegedly the one who fired the fatal shot, the judges said the prosecution had failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.When a person stands before the court at the twilight of existence, the insistence on penal consequences, after decades of procedural delay, risks transforming justice into a ritual divorced from the purpose it intends,” the bench wrote, adding that prolonged anxiety, uncertainty and social fallout “cannot be ignored” when deciding what justice now requires.Dhani Ram and co-accused Satti Din had been convicted under IPC sections 302 read with 34 for accompanying Maiku during the killing.Satti Din died during his own pending appeal, leaving Dhani Ram the lone surviving appellant.His counsel said he was only accused of exhortation, not firing any shot. State counsel opposed the acquittal.The Allahabad high court ruled that the benefit of doubt must go to the centenarian. With acquittal granted, his bail bond stands discharged.About the AuthorRajesh Kumar PandeyA legal eagle stationed in Sangam city. Has been covering news reports originating out of Allahabad high court for TOI for over a decade. Have reported several landmark judgments, besides the visit of luminaries — from the PM to CJIs.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosEAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio Underscore De-Risking Supply Chains At US Critical Minerals MeetOppn Women MPs Storm Treasury Benches Amid Protests: Inside PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech Cancellation‘This is the era for India’: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Hails New Delhi’s Economic Rise’Agriculture, Dairy Protected’: Piyush Goyal Cheers India-US Pact; Jaishankar Meets Trump Top Aides’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital Addiction123Photostories5 types of main door locks and which one is perfect for apartments6 reality TV couples who didn’t last: Nick Thompson and Danielle Ruhl, Josh Oyinsan and Mimii Ngulube and moreWhat’s streaming on Apple TV+ in February 2026: New seasons, romance, and monster mayhemFrom India to Russia: Stunning frozen rivers from around the world10 oldest restaurants in Bengaluru and their most popular dishesMeryl Streep films on OTT that highlight her timeless talent5 most expensive buildings from across the world and why they cost so muchMumbai–Pune Expressway turns parking lot as vehicles remain stuck for 12 hoursThis Royal in Asia owns 7000 luxury vehicles including 500 Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris and 380 BentleysRosa Parks once said, “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up…”: 5 lessons it teaches students123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNBA Trade NewsMLB Trade RumorsCardi BKayla NicoleLindsey Vonn ACL InjuryCooper DeJeanTom BradyDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsWho is Mickey Lolich WifeMickey Lolich Passes Away
PRAYAGRAJ: After decades of waiting, Dhani Ram finally won his freedom in his 100th year. Allahabad high court last month acquitted the Hamirpur native, convicted in 1984 for a 1982 murder tied to a property feud. Though sentenced to life, he was released on bail that same year, spending 42 years waiting for finality while his appeal crawled through the docket.A division bench of Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Sanjiv Kumar, in a 23-page ruling dated Jan 21, tore into contradictions they found in the prosecution’s case — from unreliable testimony of two eyewitnesses to omissions in FIR and what the court called “inherent improbabilities.”With main accused Maiku absconding since 1982 and allegedly the one who fired the fatal shot, the judges said the prosecution had failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.When a person stands before the court at the twilight of existence, the insistence on penal consequences, after decades of procedural delay, risks transforming justice into a ritual divorced from the purpose it intends,” the bench wrote, adding that prolonged anxiety, uncertainty and social fallout “cannot be ignored” when deciding what justice now requires.Dhani Ram and co-accused Satti Din had been convicted under IPC sections 302 read with 34 for accompanying Maiku during the killing.Satti Din died during his own pending appeal, leaving Dhani Ram the lone surviving appellant.His counsel said he was only accused of exhortation, not firing any shot. State counsel opposed the acquittal.The Allahabad high court ruled that the benefit of doubt must go to the centenarian. With acquittal granted, his bail bond stands discharged.
