Wednesday, 15 July 2026 MUMBAI EDITION LIVE

Mumbai Court Acquits Ashwin Naik Aide Dharmesh

Dharmesh acquitted in Neeta Naik murder case, court cites lack of evidence. He remains absconding.

Mumbai Alert · City Desk
Mumbai Alert · City Desk
City Desk · Mumbai Alert News · Wed, 15 July 2026 at 02:54 am
Mumbai Court Acquits Ashwin Naik Aide Dharmesh

A special MCOCA court in Mumbai has acquitted Dharmendrasing Rajendrasingh Choudhary, alias Dharmesh, an alleged aide of gangster Ashwin Naik, in the murder case of Naik's wife Neeta. The acquittal was granted due to a lack of evidence connecting Dharmesh to the crime.

The murder took place on November 13, 2000, when Neeta Naik, a corporator at the time, was shot dead at her residence. The investigation revealed that Ashwin Naik had suspected his wife's character and had a dispute with her over monetary transactions, leading to allegations of a criminal conspiracy to eliminate her.

The prosecution claimed that Dharmesh was an active participant in the conspiracy and had arranged arms and ammunition for the assailants. However, after examining the evidence of 22 witnesses, the court found no material connecting Dharmesh to the commission of the offence.

The court observed that there was no evidence to show that Dharmesh had procured or facilitated the procurement of firearms, harboured the assailants, or participated in the conspiracy. The court also stated that there was no evidence to prove that Dharmesh was a member of the organised crime syndicate allegedly headed by Naik.

The case against Dharmesh was heard under the newly added provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which allows a trial to proceed in the absence of an absconding accused if they are represented by a lawyer. The court appointed a lawyer from the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System to represent Dharmesh.

Ashwin Naik and his close aide Kishore Rajput were previously acquitted in the case. Dharmesh remains absconding, but the court's acquittal brings an end to the case against him.

The Neeta Naik murder case is a significant one in Mumbai's history, highlighting the city's struggles with organised crime. The case has been closely watched, and the acquittal of Dharmesh is likely to have implications for the city's law and order situation.

The MCOCA court's decision to acquit Dharmesh due to a lack of evidence is a reminder of the importance of ensuring that the legal process is fair and just. The court's observation that there was no material connecting Dharmesh to the crime highlights the need for thorough investigations and the importance of relying on evidence-based prosecutions.

In the context of Mumbai's crime landscape, the Neeta Naik murder case is a reminder of the city's ongoing struggles with organised crime and the need for effective law enforcement. The case has been a significant one, and the acquittal of Dharmesh brings a sense of closure to the legal process.

The acquittal of Dharmesh is also a reminder of the importance of ensuring that the rights of the accused are protected, even in cases where the accused is absconding. The court's decision to appoint a lawyer from the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System to represent Dharmesh highlights the importance of ensuring that the legal process is fair and just, even in difficult cases.

In conclusion, the acquittal of Dharmesh in the Neeta Naik murder case is a significant development in Mumbai's legal landscape. The case highlights the importance of ensuring that the legal process is fair and just, and the need for thorough investigations and evidence-based prosecutions. The acquittal brings a sense of closure to the legal process, but it also raises important questions about the city's ongoing struggles with organised crime and the need for effective law enforcement.

The implications of the acquittal are likely to be felt in the coming days and weeks, as the city's law enforcement agencies and legal community grapple with the consequences of the court's decision. For now, the acquittal of Dharmesh brings an end to the case against him, but it also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the city in its efforts to combat organised crime.

The Neeta Naik murder case is a reminder of the complexities and challenges of the Indian legal system. The case has been a significant one, and the acquittal of Dharmesh is likely to have implications for the city's law and order situation. The case highlights the importance of ensuring that the legal process is fair and just, and the need for thorough investigations and evidence-based prosecutions.

In the end, the acquittal of Dharmesh is a reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served. The case may be closed, but its implications will be felt for a long time to come.

The city's residents will be watching the developments in the case closely, as they try to make sense of the acquittal and its implications for the city's law and order situation. The acquittal of Dharmesh is a significant development, and it will be important to see how the city's law enforcement agencies and legal community respond to the court's decision.

For now, the acquittal of Dharmesh brings a sense of closure to the legal process, but it also raises important questions about the city's ongoing struggles with organised crime and the need for effective law enforcement. The case may be closed, but its implications will be felt for a long time to come.

The Mumbai court's decision to acquit Dharmesh is a reminder of the importance of ensuring that the legal process is fair and just. The case highlights the need for thorough investigations and evidence-based prosecutions, and the importance of upholding the rule of law.

In conclusion, the acquittal of Dharmesh in the Neeta Naik murder case is a significant development in Mumbai's legal landscape. The case highlights the importance of ensuring that the legal process is fair and just, and the need for thorough investigations and evidence-based prosecutions. The acquittal brings a sense of closure to the legal process, but it also raises important questions about the city's ongoing struggles with organised crime and the need for effective law enforcement.

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