LHC acquits convict in blasphemy case

Sawan Masih was handed down death sentence on blasphemy charges in March 2014

LAHORE:

A Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench, headed by Justice Syed Shehbaz Ali Rizvi, has acquitted a man who had been handed down death sentence on blasphemy charges in March 2014.

The convict, Sawan Masih, had filed an appeal against the death sentence given by the trial court.

The appellant raised several objections on the police investigation and prosecution.

Masih told the court that police had registered the case 35 hours after the alleged occurrence, alleging that it showed mala fide intent in the case.

There were contradictions in the story of the FIR and the one narrated by the complainant before the trial court, he contended.

The appellant further said that the blasphemy charges were fabricated by elements who wanted to occupy the land of Joseph Colony. He asked the court to set aside his conviction and order his acquittal.

The division bench, after hearing arguments from both sides, acquitted the convict and declared that the prosecution had failed to establish involvement of the convict in blasphemy.