07 January,2026 05:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
The deceased was attacked by two bike-borne assailants in May 2015. Representational Pic/File
A Mumbai court has acquitted all eight accused nearly ten years after film set construction contractor Raju Shinde was shot dead in Aarey Colony.
They were initially arrested by Mumbai Police in connection with 2015 Film City murder case and nearly 10 years later, the sessions court on Monday acquitted all eight accused in the case.
The murder took place in May 2015, when Shinde was attacked by two bike-borne assailants near Film City.
The verdict was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge T.T. Aglawe of the City Civil and Additional Sessions Court.
The court acquitted the accused of charges under Section 302 (murder) and Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, along with charges under the Indian Arms Act.
The eight persons acquitted were identified as Sumit Atmaram Talekar, Jugal alias Papu Babu Dhodiya, Yogesh Ramkrishna Kokane, Sandip Pitambar Khairnar, Satish Ashok More, Jeetu Shankar Dheevar, Suresh Subhash Gaikwad and Ismail Aadam Khan.
The court directed that the accused be released immediately if they were not required in any other case. Each accused has been asked to submit a personal bond of Rs 15,000 under Section 437-A of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The court also ordered that seized weapons be sent to the District Magistrate for lawful disposal. Seized mobile phones and a motorcycle will be auctioned after the appeal period ends.
At the time of the verdict, some of the accused were produced from Thane and Taloja jails, while others were present in court on bail.
Advocates Bhanudas Jagtap and Anushka Jagtap represented four of the accused. Other defence counsels included Advocate Shirsath and Advocate J.B. Mane.
The prosecution was represented by Additional Public Prosecutor I.K. Shaikh.
Raju Shinde, who had a criminal record with more than 13 cases, was shot three times near a studio in Film City on May 22, 2015. He was rushed to hospital but died on July 2, 2015, after remaining under treatment for several weeks.
Police had claimed the murder was the result of a criminal conspiracy, allegedly triggered by a physical altercation after Shinde refused to provide employment to the accused in his film set construction work.
Sources in the Aarey Colony Police said they plan to challenge the acquittal in a higher court. Officials added that they are awaiting a certified copy of the detailed judgment before filing an appeal.
