Hyderabad, June 1 -- The Telangana High Court has quashed the life sentence imposed on Colonel Rishi Sharma, an administrative officer at DRDO, Shamirpet, in a rape case, and declared him innocent.

The court strongly criticised the police investigation, highlighting systemic flaws and calling for reform in the criminal justice process.

The case dates back to April 25, 2017, when a woman accused Colonel Rishi Sharma, a close friend of her mother, of raping her when she was alone with him.

She alleged that after becoming pregnant, Sharma threatened her to undergo an abortion, prompting her to file a complaint. The Rangareddy District Court, after inquiry, convicted Sharma and sentenced him to life imprisonment in September 2024.

Sharma ...