Delhi Court discharges man wrongfully accused in 2003 Australia murder case after forensic report confirms mistaken identity
New Delhi [India], June 14 (ANI): A Delhi court has discharged an Indian man wrongfully accused in connection with a murder in Australia's Redfern in 2003 after forensic tests confirmed it was a case of mistaken identity.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pranav Joshi on June 13 exonerated Mohammed Basheeruddin, who had been arrested last month, after a report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) revealed that his fingerprints did not match those found at the crime scene in Australia.
'The fingerprints of the arrested individual do not match those of the original fugitive criminal,' the judge noted in court. 'In view of this, Mohammed Basheeruddin is discharged from the present proceedings.'
The murder occurred on the night of June 29, 2003. The body of Shoukat Mohammed was found stuffed inside a sleeping bag placed in a wheelie bin on James Street, Redfern. The victim had been drugged, assaulted, and ultimately strangled to death, triggering a long-running homicide investigation in Australia.
According to New South Wales authorities, the case remains open. The NSW Government has announced a reward of AUD 100,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the fugitive criminal responsible for the killing.
During the court proceedings in Delhi, Basheeruddin's lawyer, Farhat Jahan Rehmani, argued that her client had been falsely implicated due to a name mismatch.
The actual name mentioned in foreign records was 'Bashiruddin Mohd,' she said -- not her client's full name, Mohammed Basheeruddin. She also pointed out that he obtained his Indian passport only in 2016, and since then, he had never traveled abroad except to Saudi Arabia. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
GCC robs people of high parking costs
Chennai: Despite Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) warning TEXCO for charging exorbitant parking costs, the latter's staff continue to fleece residents—up to six times the original parking cost of 20. After TOI broke a story in April on how the Tamil Nadu ex-servicemen corporation (TEXCO) was collecting money from residents even without a formal tender or contract being in place, the GCC formalised an agreement with TEXCO. They restricted the firm's ambit to just ten locations at flat rates of 20 per hour for cars, 5 for bikes, and 60 for heavy vehicles. The GCC also ordered TEXCO to stop collecting cash and handed them POS devices with QR code facilities. Two months later, staff continue to charge up to 120 for just two hours—and in cash. According to bills accessed by TOI, one dated June 25 at a location in T Nagar stated the charge was 30 per hour. The person had parked for two hours, yet the final amount on the bill was 120. While the 30 per hour itself was illegal, the resident ended up being charged six times the approved rate. In another bill from June 9, one hour of parking was shown to cost 60, three times the prescribed charge. Clueless residents, eager to get out of congested parking spots, paid without protest. "The staff said if I pay by cash, it's 40, whereas if I pay online, it is 60. I ended up paying online. The money went to an Indian bank account linked to GCC," said one motorist. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai TEXCO was supposed to deploy manpower across 14,000 slots with a daily earning potential of 11 lakh. This meant that from the start of the contract in July until its expiry in December, expected revenue was around 19.8 crore. But in December 2024, TEXCO officially declared only 1.75 crore. "It is not known if the cash collected by staff was fully accounted for," said civic activist Swadish Bharathi. Revenue officials explained that although the account is linked to GCC, TEXCO withdraws funds to cover administration, maintenance, and manpower costs, leaving only the net surplus for the civic body. "The parking contract with TEXCO has to be abolished. I will take it up with the commissioner and also raise it in the council. These complaints cannot be recurring," said Deputy mayor Mahesh Kumar.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Man posing as IAS officer held, fake govt docus seized
Mumbai: The city crime branch police on Sunday arrested a fake IAS officer and recovered several fake government documents from him. Police arrested Chandramohan Singh (32) from Malad. He claimed to be an IAS officer and reportedly stayed in Mumbai posing as an officer of the ministry of home affairs. When the police stopped his vehicle in Dadar, he presented a fake identity card and claimed to be an IAS officer. His vehicle bore a 'Govt of India' number plate. Following a tip-off, Malad police set a trap, apprehended Singh, and registered a case on June 28. Authorities seized a counterfeit Home Ministry identity card, sixteen visiting cards, and the vehicle. The ID and cards featured the Indian Rajmudra. Police have also seized another fake ID in his name in which he posed as an officer of the ministry of defence. Police are trying to find out what his motive is. He told investigators he had earlier attempted the civil services exam as well. tnn You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Pak couple suspected to have died of thirst: SP
Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer superintendent of police Sudhir Choudhary Sunday said that Pakistani couple, Ravi Kumar (17) and Shanti Bai (15), who had crossed international border near Jaisalmer recently, suspected to have died of thirst and dehydration. Their bodies were found Saturday. A photograph of the scene revealed an empty jerry can positioned on the youth's face, illustrating the suffering they endured before their deaths. Kumar and Bai entered into an arranged marriage four months ago in Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki district, Sindh province, Pakistan. They aspired to build a safe and prosperous life in India and had applied for visas. However, due to strained relations between India and Pakistan, their visa applications were rejected. Determined to reach India, they chose to cross the border illegally. Despite warnings from Kumar's father and a disagreement between them a week earlier, he proceeded with his plan. After crossing the border a week ago, they became disoriented in the Bhibhiyan desert and ultimately succumbed to dehydration. Their bodies were found with an empty jerry can, which they had used to carry water from Pakistan. A medical board conducted a post-mortem Sunday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nuova Škoda Octavia Škoda Scopri di più Undo Dilip Singh Sodha, district coordinator of the Hindu Pakistani Displaced Union and Border People Organization said that if the Indian govt returns the bodies, the relatives in Jaisalmer are prepared to accept them. If the bodies are not repatriated to Pakistan, the relatives are ready to perform the last rites in accordance with Hindu customs, he said. The SP said Pakistani national identity cards were discovered with the bodies, heightening security concerns. The incident might suggest infiltration from across the border or involvement in other criminal activities. Police and various security agencies are conducting a comprehensive investigation. Legal proceedings are being carried out in accordance with regulations, he said.
