Illicit weapons case: Convict sentenced to 14-year imprisonment

Unlicensed pistol, hand grenade were seized from his possession in 2014

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) sentenced on Wednesday an alleged gangster to 14 years in prison after convicting him of possessing an illicit weapon and explosive material.

Adeel, said to be associated with one of the most notorious gangs in Lyari, was arrested in 2014 during a raid in the old city area, according to the prosecution, and an unlicensed pistol and hand grenade were recovered from his possession.

The accused denied the charges and opted to contest them, contending that he was falsely implicated in the case. The trial continued for around a year.

Announcing the verdict, the ATC judge observed that the prosecution had successfully established the case against the accused. Therefore, he was convicted under clauses of the Explosives Substances Act, Sindh Arms Act and Anti-Terrorism Act.

The court awarded him 14 years in jail for possessing explosives and seven years for the illicit weapon. Collectively, the jail term is 21 years. However, since the judge ruled that both the sentences will run concurrently, only the longest term will be counted as the total imprisonment time.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2016.