Mumbai: The special court for the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), on Tuesday, acquitted, for want of evidence, gangster Ravi Pujari, for the 1999 murder of Anil Sharma, an alleged member of gangster Dawood Ibrahim. It was claimed that Sharma was killed to avenge the 1992 shootout at JJ Hospital.

Pujari’s lawyer, DS Manerkar, said this is the first case that has concluded after his arrest by the Indian agencies. Pujari was extradited and brought to India last year. It was alleged that gangster Chhota Rajan had entrusted Pujari to eliminate Sharma, who had allegedly opened fire in JJ Hospital, along with others, at the members of the Arun Gawali gang involved in firing at Dawood’s brother-in-law.

As per the prosecution’s case, on September 2, 1999, when Sharma’s Jeep reached Teli Galli Cross lane, a Maruti car intercepted it from the front, and an autorickshaw came from behind. Three occupants of the Maruti and two from the auto indiscriminately fired at Sharma, who was taken to Cooper Hospital but was pronounced dead. Sharma’s father, Nirbhaynarayan had given a statement that his son had told him about a perceived life threat from the Chhota Rajan gang. He also told him that Chhota Rajan, Ravi Pujari, and Guru Satam were gunning for him.

As per the prosecution, Sharma’s father had seen unknown persons roaming around his house. The court has already acquitted 11 other accused in the case, citing lack of evidence. Besides, Rajan who is alleged to be the key conspirator has been discharged from the case.