Srinagar, May 8 -- After more than two decades of trial proceedings, a court here has acquitted all accused persons in the alleged SRO-43 fraud case involving government officials who ensured appointment of two brothers from city downtown in government service on compassionate grounds after their mother died in crossfire in 1990.

The judgment, delivered by City Judge Tarun Mahajan, held that the prosecution had failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt and could not establish any criminal conspiracy or fraudulent appointment under the compassionate appointment scheme.

The case related to the death of a woman, Mst Posha, of Braripora Nawakadal during cross-firing in Srinagar in 1990. The prosecution alleged that two of her ...