Life sentence meted out to convict in acid attack case

ATC rules victim's treatment responsibility of state

KARACHI:

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) handed a life sentence on Wednesday to a man convicted of throwing acid at a citizen over a marriage proposal.

Sohail alias Kalu was found guilty of throwing acid at a school teacher, namely Ahmer Iqbal, who proposed to his female colleague in 2016.

According to the prosecution, Sohail knocked on Iqbal's door after he heard of the proposal and when the latter came out he attacked him with acid. The case against Sohail was lodged at Shah Faisal Police Station.

The court sentenced Sohail to a life term in jail and imposed on him a fine of Rs150,000. Besides, the court directed the Sindh chief secretary to make arrangements for the victim's treatment. Iqbal lost his eyesight in the attack and the court ruled that it was the state's responsibility to provide him medical treatment.

IO rebuked

Meanwhile, irked over the investigation officer's (IO) absence in the weapons and explosives case against notorious gangster Rehman Dakait's son, Sultan, another ATC issued a show-cause notice and directed the suspension of the IO's salary.

Read More: Kohat girl scarred by acid attack

The court also directed the accused and his counsel to ensure their presence at the next hearing slated for August 27.

According to the police, Sultan is involved in extortion and other crimes and a hand grenade was found in his possession.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2021.