Mumbai: A sessions court recently acquitted a 64-year-old Kalina man accused of setting a woman ablaze in 1990 after she rejected his marriage proposal, ending a legal battle that spanned 36 years. The accused, Desmand Miranda, absconded and was arrested only in 2025. The court’s decision followed a total collapse of the prosecution’s case, as decades of delays resulted in missing evidence and the death of several key witnesses. Ultimately, the acquittal was secured due to the victim’s own contradictory statements made before her death, which prevented the court from establishing a definitive account of the tragedy. The judge noted the lack of direct evidence, stating, “The evidence available on record is not sufficient to prove the charge against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. In the absence of original police papers and documents and in the absence of clear and convincing evidence, the accused cannot be convicted only on the ground of suspicion.”While the informant, the victim’s brother-in-law, claimed that the victim, Natalin D’souza, eventually named Miranda as her attacker, the court noted that her initial statement to the police and doctors suggested a suicide attempt. The judge observed that the alleged dying declaration incriminating Miranda was never formally proved in court. Further, forensic reports showed no kerosene residue on Miranda’s clothing, and there were no signs of physical struggle or burn marks on his person that would typically be expected in such a violent confrontation.During the proceedings, it was revealed that the original FIR, panchnama records, and post-mortem notes could not be traced. Further, the physical evidence, or “muddemal”, was damaged over the decades and was unavailable for inspection. Key witnesses, including neighbours and family members who were present shortly after the incident, died before they could depose.The judge further noted that the deposition of Natalin’s daughter, who was only 10 years old at the time of the incident, contained improvements and was largely hearsay in nature.It was alleged that on November 11, 1990, Miranda, the victim’s brother’s friend, visited Natalin’s residence in Kalina. Natalin’s husband died 11 years before the incident. It was alleged that an argument ensued after Natalin refused to serve Miranda a meal and rejected his proposal for marriage. According to the initial complaint filed by Natalin’s brother-in-law, Joseph Coutinho, Miranda reacted by slapping the victim, locking the doors, and setting her ablaze using kerosene and a matchstick. Natalin succumbed to her injuries 5 days later at Nanavati Hospital.
