A nearly 100-year-old man has been acquitted by the Allahabad High Court in a murder case that has dragged through the Indian legal system for more than four decades, highlighting long-standing concerns about delayed justice in the country’s courts. The division bench of Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Sanjiv Kumar quashed the conviction against Dhani Ram, citing evidentiary gaps and the prolonged pendency of his appeal as critical factors in its decision.

The case centres on a 1982 murder that occurred amid a land dispute in Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh, in which three men — Maiku, Satti Din and Dhani Ram — were accused. A local court convicted Satti Din and Ram in 1984, sentencing both to life imprisonment under Indian Penal Code provisions for murder. Maiku allegedly absconded, and Satti Din later died while the appeal against the conviction was pending. Dhani Ram was released on bail the same year and spent decades contesting the verdict.

In its judgement delivered on February 4, 2026, the High Court found that the prosecution had failed to prove Dhani Ram’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, noting inconsistencies in witness testimony and other evidentiary shortcomings. The bench emphasised that continuing to maintain the conviction “at the twilight of existence,” given the accused’s advanced age and the unusually long delay in adjudication, would transform justice into mere ritual rather than meaningful redress.

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The court also acknowledged the social and personal consequences the octogenarian had endured over decades of legal uncertainty, observing that the anxiety, stigma and disruption to ordinary life suffered by the appellant could not be disregarded in determining appropriate relief. In light of these considerations, the judges discharged his bail bond and formally acquitted him of all charges.

Legal commentators see the ruling as a reflection of broader systemic challenges in the Indian judiciary, where protracted proceedings frequently leave accused individuals in limbo for years, sometimes spanning entire lifetimes. Cases like this — wherein key defendants die or attain extreme age before final resolution — have prompted calls for procedural reforms to expedite appeals and ensure timely justice.

While Dhani Ram’s acquittal marks a personal vindication at the end of his life, the decision also underscores persistent concerns about backlog and delay in criminal justice processes across India, fuelling continued debate over balancing procedural thoroughness with the imperative for timely outcomes.

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