The four are Ashok Kumar, Purshottam, Laxman and Luvkush. While passing the order, the judge observed that the investigation in the case was far from satisfactory. ``It is regretted that the offender in such a grave crime should escape retribution and it is directly due to very defective investigation of this case.

The judge blamed the SHO for not showing any interest in the case ``for reasons best known to him.'' The case dates back to the intervening night of August 28 and 29, 1993, when the four accused allegedly murdered Girish Kumar in a factory involved in the manufacture of PVC granules at Nangloi. According to the prosecution, the murder was committed with full intention and knowledge. After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge finally acquitted the accused saying that the prosecution case was based on circumstantial evidence.