Nagaon: In a major development in the sensational murder case of Jamunamukh schoolteacher Arnamai Bora, the Supreme Court of India has acquitted the main accused, Moinul Haque, citing lack of sufficient evidence. The Court also withdrew the charge of destruction of evidence against him (Arnamai Bora Murder Case Verdict).
It may be recalled that on May 31, 2017, Arnamai Bora, a teacher of Changjurai Ilachi LP School in Jamunamukh, was allegedly raped and murdered while returning home after completing her duties. Her body was later recovered from the Kapili River. Based on an FIR lodged by her husband Bimal Bora at Jamunamukh Police Station, a case (No. 52/17) was registered under Sections 302/201/376(A)/34 of the Indian Penal Code, and investigation began.
During the investigation, police arrested Selim Uddin (32) and Moinul Haque (41) from Changjurai village under Jamunamukh Police Station on suspicion of involvement in the crime. The investigating officer, Abhishek Barua, who served the dual role of both Officer-in-Charge and Investigating Officer of Jamunamukh Police Station, completed the investigation and submitted a 195-page charge sheet within 90 days after examining 19 witnesses.
Later, on July 24, 2018, the District and Sessions Court at Sankardev Nagar convicted both accused. The court sentenced Selim Uddin to life imprisonment with rigorous labor under Sections 302 and 201 IPC, along with a fine of ₹20,000. The same court sentenced Moinul Haque to death under Sections 376(A), 302, and 201 IPC.
Subsequently, the families of both convicts appealed the verdict in the High Court. During the hearing, serious lapses in the investigation by the then Hojai police came to light. Bite marks were reportedly found on Arnamai Bora’s body, but no forensic examination was conducted to determine whose bite marks they were. The police had ample opportunity to identify the accused through forensic odontological examination of the bite marks found on Bora’s body — but the so-called “smart police” irresponsibly chose to forgo that examination entirely. The court-appointed amicus curiae, senior advocate Ziaur Kamar, also pointed out that an odontological examination of Moinul Haque should have been carried out to conclusively match the bite marks on Arnamai Bora’s body, but it was never done.
Moreover, the police failed to establish whether Moinul was present at the crime scene at the time of the incident. There was also no conclusive evidence to prove that rape had occurred prior to the murder.
After reviewing all aspects, the High Court on December 22, 2022, commuted Moinul Haque’s death sentence to three years’ imprisonment, while upholding the life sentence of Selim Uddin.
Later, the State Government approached the Supreme Court. Initially, the Supreme Court issued a non-bailable warrant against Moinul Haque, following which he was arrested again. However, in its final judgment, the Supreme Court acquitted him, stating that conviction in criminal cases must be based on conclusive evidence, not mere suspicion.
Meanwhile, expressing deep dissatisfaction over the outcome, Arnamai Bora’s husband Bimal Bora alleged that lapses at the grassroots level led to this unfortunate situation and strongly criticized the police for their negligence and sloppiness throughout the investigation.