A court in Maharashtra, India, has acquitted all 56 people accused of inciting violence during a 2014 dispute over signboards in the town of Solapur. The case, which concluded on April 9, 2026, stemmed from clashes that erupted after a political party removed signboards of a rival group, leading to stone-pelting and injuries.
The prosecution alleged that the accused, affiliated with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), were part of an unlawful assembly that led to the violence. However, the court found that the evidence presented was insufficient to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge noted a lack of concrete proof linking the individuals to the specific acts of violence.
The legal proceedings lasted for nearly 12 years, with the final hearing taking place earlier this week. The acquittal brings closure to a long-standing case that had been pending in the Solapur district court. Local reports indicate the accused and their supporters welcomed the verdict outside the courtroom.
