The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- The Madhya Pradesh High Court has acquitted Lotan Lodhi, setting aside the life imprisonment he received in a 2025 trial court judgment for the 2014 murder of Munnalal Ahirwar.
- The division bench of Justices Vivek Agrawal and Avanindra Kumar Singh held that the conviction was based on cryptic and non-existent grounds, with incomplete evidence including inconsistent witness testimony and an FSL report that found no human blood on the accused's clothes, contrary to the trial court's findings.
- The court said the trial judge failed to discharge his duties with due care and diligence and questioned his suitability to handle sensitive cases.
What to watch next
- The case is to be placed before the acting Madhya Pradesh Chief Justice for appropriate action regarding the trial judge
- Whether any further proceedings follow against the trial judge, Udai Singh Maravi
- Whether Lodhi, currently in jail, is released following the acquittal
Who said what2
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Madhya Pradesh High Court
2 quotes · 1 outlet
“We are constrained to observe that learned trial court has failed to discharge its duties with due care and diligence. Prima facie, we are of the considered opinion that the manner in which the evidence and the material on record have been appreciated raises serious concerns regarding the suitability of learned trial court, presided over by Udai Singh Maravi, special judge, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Damoh, to deal with sensitive matters of this nature.”
In the article
…The division bench of judges Vivek Agrawal and Avanindra Kumar Singh also said the case should be placed before the acting Madhya Pradesh Chief Justice to take an appropriate call in this regard. The court said, “ We are constrained to observe that learned trial court has failed to discharge its duties with due care and diligence. Prima facie, we are of the considered opinion that the manner in which the evidence and the material on record have been appreciated raises serious concerns regarding the suitability of learned trial court, presided over by Udai Singh Maravi, special judge, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Damoh, to deal with sensitive matters of this nature. ” “The judgment passed by trial court in May 2025, the conviction having been founded on cryptic and non-existent grounds cannot be sustained in the eyes of law,” reads the court order. Lotan Lodhi was acquitted of the…
“The judgment passed by trial court in May 2025, the conviction having been founded on cryptic and non-existent grounds cannot be sustained in the eyes of law,”
In the article
…raises serious concerns regarding the suitability of learned trial court, presided over by Udai Singh Maravi, special judge, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Damoh, to deal with sensitive matters of this nature.” “ The judgment passed by trial court in May 2025, the conviction having been founded on cryptic and non-existent grounds cannot be sustained in the eyes of law, ” reads the court order. Lotan Lodhi was acquitted of the charges under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,…
Coverage1
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Named India · Lotan Lodhi · Munnalal Ahirwar · Avanindra Kumar Singh · Madhya Pradesh High Court · Munna Ahirwar · Udai Singh Maravi · Vivek Agrawal
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