From correspondents in Maharashtra, India, 07:30 PM IST

A special court here Friday acquitted Shiv Sena legislator Gajanan Kirtikar and five others of instigating violence during the Mumbai riots in 1992-93, for lack of evidence.

While acquitting them, Magistrate R.C. Bapat Sarkar said the investigating officer failed to prove the prosecution case.

The six, including Corporator Ravindra Waikar, were booked under Section 39 of the Bombay Police Act (unlawful assembly), different sections of the Criminal Procedure Code for instigating violence, and Section 153(a) of the Indian Penal Code for the conspiracy.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)