Akbaruddin Owaisi acquitted in hate speech cases; court says evidence not enough against AIMIM MLA

Akbaruddin Owaisi, a leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, was acquitted in alleged hate speech cases on April 13. The younger brother of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi was booked around a decade ago for allegedly using inflammatory and derogatory language against a particular community.

A special sessions court for MPs and MLAs observed that the prosecution failed to submit proper evidence against Owaisi, as per a Hindustan Times report. The court also told Owaisi to not deliver controversial speeches in future, keeping national integrity in mind, said the HT report.

Elder brother Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted in celebration, thanking supporters for "prayers and support".

MLA Akbaruddin had been booked for objectionable speeches delivered in Telangana's Nizamabad on December 8, 2012 and at Nirmal town on December 22, 2012. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) investigated the Nizamabad case, while the district police probed the Nirmal case, as per news agency PTI.

A total of 41 witnesses were examined in the Nizamabad case while 33 people were examined in the Nirmal case, as per reports.