CHENNAI: A fast track court here on Thursday acquitted two of the four persons charged with causing the death of Stephanie Aduwo, a call centre employee, in September 2004.

Fast track court-IV Judge Raja Chockalingam, acquitted Nestle and Raja while convicting the first-accused Venkatesan. As the fourth-accused was a minor his case was split and referred to a juvenile court.

The accused were charged with offences under various sections of the IPC, including murder, besides under the Tamil Nadu (Prevention of) Harassment of Women Act. Though the court acquitted all the three of murder charges, it found Venkatesan guilty of a rash and negligent act leading to the girl's death. He was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment. He has completed 22 months in imprisonment.

The Judge noted there was no direct evidence to corroborate the prosecution theory that Stephanie was pushed to death by the accused. There was only circumstantial evidence, he said, adding there was no criminal intent to cause death. The 21-year-old Stephanie, returning from a hotel disco on a scooter, was allegedly chased by the accused in a car and run over on Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai in Mylapore.

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