New Delhi, In a significant judgment, an Indian court has acquitted 17 Muslim cricket fans who were arrested for celebrating Pakistan’s victory over India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final. The court’s decision came after seven years of legal proceedings, finding the accused innocent of all charges.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the arrests were made on June 18, 2017, following Pakistan’s win against India in the Champions Trophy final held in London. A total of 20 individuals, including these 17 men and two 16-year-old boys, were detained on allegations of sedition and engaging in criminal activities for their celebration of the Pakistani cricket team’s win.

The court dismissed the government witnesses’ statements and the police’s allegations as unfounded, leading to the acquittal of the detained Muslim cricket enthusiasts.

The case has seen its share of tragedies, with two young Muslims, Mubarak Tadwi and Zubair Tadwi, being released only in 2022. Rabab Nawab, a 40-year-old among the accused, unable to bear the burden of treason charges, committed suicide in prison in 2019. Additionally, Mubarak Tadwi’s father passed away, reportedly due to the distress of his son’s prolonged incarceration.

The verdict marks the end of a protracted ordeal for the individuals and their families, highlighting the severe implications and emotional toll of wrongful charges based on sectarian biases.