However, in a judgement earlier this week, a district and sessions court is understood to have pointed out several loopholes in the CBI inquiry which included failure to come up with any concrete and conclusive evidence against Phukan.

The IFJ said it lent its full support to numerous journalists unions and associations in Assam, who have demanded that the acquittal be appealed in the Guwahati High Court.

The trial judge reportedly issued severe strictures against the investigating agency for failing to produce any substantive evidence linking the suspect to the crime.

'We urge the investigating authorities to remedy all procedural lapses and gather the evidence required to bring those responsible for the heinous murder of a distinguished Indian editor to account,' Park said.

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries