A sessions court in Shirur, Maharashtra, India, acquitted Dattatray Genba Gaikwad, a 40-year-old man accused of murdering Sarika Sudam Giramkar in 2020. The court's judgment, delivered on April 30, 2026, found that the prosecution failed to establish a complete chain of circumstantial evidence necessary to prove Gaikwad's guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The prosecution's case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, including alleged motive and an extra-judicial confession, but lacked crucial supporting evidence such as eyewitness accounts and forensic links. The court noted significant lapses in the prosecution's case, including the failure to conclusively prove the recovery of the murder weapon and proper seizure of forensic evidence. Ultimately, the court stated that the prosecution did not meet the legal standards required to establish Gaikwad as the perpetrator of the crime, leading to his acquittal under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Following the ruling, Gaikwad was ordered to be released immediately, pending any other legal requirements, and was instructed to furnish a personal bond of ₹15,000.