AAP deplores Patna HC verdict in Laxmanpur-Bathe case

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party today deplored the Patna High Court verdict acquitting all 26 accused in the 1997 Laxmanpur-Bathe massacre case, terming it as a “miscarriage of justice” which would erode people’s trust in judiciary. “We are deeply saddened and outraged by the miscarriage of justice in the 1997 case of Laxmanpur Bathe massacre in Bihar, in which 58 dalits including 27 women and 16 children, were killed allegedly by members of the Ranvir Sena, a private militia of landlords,” the party said in a statement. [caption id=“attachment_1167467” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Arvind Kejriwal. AFP. [/caption] This is deeply disturbing that even after 16 years of the massacre, the victims’ families have no justice or peace. “It is a national shame and could further erode people’s trust in the criminal justice system,” AAP said. Stating that the prosecution should take full responsibility for “mishandling” of the case in the High Court, the AAP said, “Bihar government’s announcement about appealing to the Supreme Court is not an adequate response.” “It is also surprising that High Court has disbelieved the testimonies of several victims’ and their families as being unreliable,” the party said. “AAP calls upon all the justice seeking citizens and organisations to keep vigil on this case and demands that a special team be appointed to ensure that the case is now pursued in right earnest,” it said. PTI