Jhansi: The dark shadow of false accusations under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has once again come into focus after a tragic case from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. A young man, Akash Pandey, has been acquitted of charges after spending over three years in jail and losing some of the most important years of his life. But for Akash, freedom has come too late—his parents died during the trial, his education was interrupted, his career derailed, and his future remains uncertain.
The Case That Shattered a Family
According to reports, the case dates back to June 8, 2018. On that day, the body of a young girl, daughter of Matadeen Ahirwar, was discovered hanging from a noose. Following the incident, Matadeen approached the court, which directed the police to register a case against Akash Pandey and his cousin Ankit Mishra. The charges were severe: molestation, abetment of suicide, and violations under the SC/ST Act and the POCSO Act.
While police investigations cleared Akash’s brother Sachin of involvement, both Akash and Ankit were sent to jail. Ankit was granted bail after a year, but Akash remained behind bars for more than three years.
Lost Education, Parents’ Death, and Career in Ruins
During the prolonged trial, Akash’s world collapsed. Both of his parents passed away, reportedly unable to bear the pain of their son being imprisoned on such serious charges. Akash’s studies came to a halt, his farmland had to be sold, and the family’s savings were depleted in legal battles.
After seven long years, the court finally acquitted Akash and Ankit, ruling that the girl had not committed suicide as claimed, but had in fact been murdered by her own father and relatives. In a landmark judgment, the special judge ordered the registration of a case against Matadeen for presenting false evidence and misleading the court. The court also directed that the compensation granted to the girl’s family after her death must be recovered.
Justice, But No Real Relief
For Akash, the verdict brought mixed emotions. After the acquittal, he broke down in tears along with his cousin Ankit. Their sorrow reflected not just the injustice they had endured but also the irreparable damage to their lives.
“What has really changed? Only that we are no longer inside jail,” Akash lamented. “Every day, people look at you with questioning eyes, and you have no answers.”
Today, Akash works in a small job earning just ₹6,000 per month. He says that had he been able to complete his ITI training, he would have secured a stable career with a better salary. Ankit, who once dreamt of joining the defense services, lost his chance as well. His education was disrupted, and he was even dismissed from his job due to the criminal case hanging over him.
A Wider Problem: Not an Isolated Case
The ordeal faced by Akash echoes other cases of wrongful imprisonment under stringent laws. One of the most glaring examples is that of Vishnu Tiwari, who spent nearly 20 years in jail after being falsely accused of rape in 1999. He was acquitted only in 2021 by the Allahabad High Court, but by then, his family had been shattered and many members had passed away. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) later intervened, seeking accountability from officials responsible for his prolonged suffering.
