Extortion case: Court acquits man who fired at Jeddah Ice Cream for want of evidence

The suspect was arrested for allegedly demanding extortion from the shop owner.

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court acquitted a man for want of evidence on Monday. The suspect was arrested for allegedly demanding extortion from the owner of Jeddah Ice Cream and firing at the shop when he failed to pay.

The shop was reportedly owned by Abu Mutalib, the nephew of President Mamnoon Hussain.



The court acquitted Shahid Bikik, following the report submitted by the investigation officer under section 497 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The officer stated that, during the course of investigation, no solid evidence was found against Bikik, therefore, he should be released.

Section 497 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code states that: “If it appears to such officer or court at any stage of the investigation, inquiry or trial, as the case may be, that there are no reasonable grounds for believing that the accused committed a non-bailable offence, but that there are sufficient grounds for further inquiry into his guilt, the accused shall, pending such inquiry, be released on bail, or, at the discretion of such officer or court, on the execution by him of a bond without sureties for his appearance as hereinafter provided.”



Accepting the request, the court ordered to release Bikik if he was not wanted in any other case by another court. The court will continue to hear the case against the other suspects. The police have already submitted a charge sheet in the case on Friday.

A case, No.127/13, under sections 385 (putting a person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion), 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code and section 23-A of the Sindh Arms Ordinance was registered against the men at the Aram Bagh police station in September.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th,2013.