Prime accused in the Parag Das murder case acquitted

Prime accused in the Parag Das murder case, Mridul Phukan, has been acquitted by the District and Sessions Court, Guwahati, citing lack of evidence. As the accused walked out of the court, human rights organisatons, the media faternity, family and friends of Parag Das termed it as a betrayal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the court. Parag Das, a prominent journalist and human rights defender was gunned down in broad daylight on May 16, 1996. The verdict came after Das's family, friends and civil society organisations sought justice for 13 long years. CBI is the primary investigating agency in the case.