Additional Sessions Judge R.S. Bhakare, in an order passed on Wednesday, acquitted Karuna alias Gudiya Hemant Biswas, a resident of Shil Daighar in Thane district, observing that crucial parts of the prosecution's case were based on hearsay rather than direct evidence

The accused were produced via video conferencing before the Special Judge of the Anti-Corruption Court after their earlier three-day judicial custody expired. Police did not seek their custody during the hearing