Gurugram Court acquitted bus conductor Ashok Kumar, on Wednesday, who was accused in the Ryan School murder case. In September 2017, in the rush to solve the murder of Pradyuman Thakur in Ryan International School, Bhondsi, Gurugram Police had implicated Kumar.

On Thursday, the Court said, “The chargesheet had found, and the CBI had also stated, that he [Kumar] had no role to play in the murder. The Court has accepted this today and acquitted him of all charges.”

Mohit Verma, counsel of Kumar, told Newslaundry, “We will file a case against the Gurugram Police and Ryan School demanding compensation.” He further added, “My client was subjected to mental and physical torture. The Special Investigation Team’s conduct was not right. We will seek action against the SIT.”

The case itself, as well as the developments that followed, have made headlines in the national media — both in TV and newspapers. However, Kumar’s acquittal in the case was largely given a miss by the TV news channels. Kumar’s acquittal came on the day of Sridevi’s funeral.

The Gurugram Police’s theory was debunked by the Central Bureau of Investigation. In November 2017, the agency had accused a Class 11 student of the school, claiming that he had confessed to the crime.

Meanwhile, the CBI’s chargesheet said that there was no evidence to substantiate Kumar’s involvement in the case. “No bloodstain was found either on his clothes or his person before he (Kumar) lifted the victim. Kumar’s presence inside the washroom has been explained and found to be justified and true based on the independent version of several witnesses and minute analysis of CCTV footage.” It further added, “It is, therefore… prayed that since no evidence has been found by CBI against Kumar… this Hon’ble court may kindly discharge him.”

Earlier, speaking to Newslaundry, Kumar had accused the Gurugram Police of torturing him and giving him electric shocks.