Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has acquitted Chetan Arondekar, alias Vijayendra, in the 2016 murder of 20-year-old Deepali Mehta, setting aside his conviction and life sentence awarded by the Margao Additional Sessions Court.
Mehta, a native of Karwar, was found murdered at Cabo de Rama beach in December 2016. In March 2022, the Sessions Court had convicted Arondekar under Section 302 of the IPC and sentenced him to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50,000.
Arondekar, who was arrested by Cuncolim police, was accused of strangling Mehta to death on December 23, 2016. Police had alleged that the two, neighbours in Talpona, Canacona, had travelled together to Cabo de Rama on a motorcycle, where a quarrel led to the crime.
During trial, the prosecution examined 32 witnesses, and the Sessions Court had earlier held that no leniency could be shown, noting the accused’s maturity and awareness of the offence. However, while hearing his appeal, the High Court on Wednesday overturned the ruling and acquitted him.
