SC seeks jail history of blasphemy convict

Says if the convict is in sound mental health, he should be given severe punishment

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has sought jail history of a blasphemy convict, now on death row in Toba Tek Singh jail, observing that since the death penalty is a heavy punishment, it is necessary to examine the mental condition of the convict.

On Tuesday, a two-judge bench, comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Dost Muhammad Khan, gave the order on a petition of Anwar Kaneth, who was convicted more than 16 years ago of writing blasphemous letters to several national and international dignitaries.

The case was registered against Kaneth in Lahore in 2001. The man had admitted to his guilt during the trial, and the court had awarded him death sentence on July 8, 2001. The punishment was also maintained by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on June 30, 2014.

It is learnt that the convict had not engaged any lawyer during his trial. Even when a state counsel was deputed to contest his case before the LHC, he did not deny his guilt. However, through his jail petition to the apex court, he denied the charge of blasphemy.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the bench observed that if the convict was in sound mental health, he should be given severe punishment, adding that if the need arose, a medical board could also be constituted. If the law took its course, no-one would dare to do so again, the bench said.

Earlier, Punjab’s Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Jaffar defended the lower courts verdict and requested the court to maintain the death sentence awarded to the convict. He stated that the convict had admitted to his offence.

Not only this, Jaffar continued, the convict also revealed that he wrote the blasphemous letters to then Punjab chief secretary, United National secretary general and prime minister of Israel. The Israeli PM had even responded to him, the lawyer said.

The prosecutor contended that the convict was sharp minded and highly educated, adding that he had himself drafted his jail petition. “These people do such activities to get fame,” Jaffar told the court.

However, Justice Khan observed that the convict was openly involved in a blasphemous activity for two years and also admitted to his guilt before the trial court, adding that the trial court could have ordered an examining of his mental health.

Justice Khan also said that the conduct of the convict was like an insane person because he himself stated everywhere that he was sinner. There should be a solid reason to end a human life, the judge said. The hearing was adjourned for indefinite period.