Pahelwan Acquitted In Attempt To Murder On Akbaruddin Owaisi  

Hyderabad: The main accused in the attempt to murder on MIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi has been acquitted by the court. Another nine accused in the sensational daylight murder attempt on Akbaruddin at a public function at Barkas in Old City on 30 April 2011 were also declared innocent.

After a prolonged six-year trial, the court on Thursday delivered the judgment holding four of the total 14 accused guilty. A2 Salim Bin, A3 Abdulla Yafei, A5 Awad Yafei and A12 have been declared guilty in the case. As they have already spent more than six years in jail, the culprits may have to undergo another year or two behind the bars.

A case of attempt to murder and another under Arms Act was booked against Mohammad Pahelwan and 14 of his associates, one of whom died at the spot after Akbar's gunman opened fire. The assailants first shot with revolvers and then stabbed him after he collapsed. Three bullets were recovered from Akbar's torso. He also sustained knife stabs at five places. He had to undergo treatment for 20 days and three surgeries were performed to retrieve bullets from his body parts.

Pahelwan's lawyer Guru Raghavendra argued that his client was not in town on the day of incident and that he was named in the case with a malafide intention. The court examined 19 witnesses and the various items involved in the offence including revolves, knives, vehicles, etc.

The punishment is expected to be pronounced by the court after the lunch hour.