Kidnapping, murder sentences overturned

SHC says IO failed to provide necessary evidence

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court, while accepting the appeal of three kidnapping for ransom and murder convicts, declared their sentences as null and void.

The SHC issued a written decision on the appeal of the suspects who were convicted by a special anti-terrorism court for kidnapping and murdering a nine-year-old boy. According to the written decision, no eyewitnesses were presented in the case.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice KK Agha, ruled on the appeal against the conviction of the accused in the kidnapping for ransom case and murder case.

The court allowed the appeal against the sentence of the three accused. "The prosecution failed to provide evidence to uphold the defendants' sentences."

The court quashed the sentences of accused Allah Ditta, Hafeez and Mohammad Irfan. It said that the three should be released if there is no other case against them.

The written decision clarified that no eyewitnesses were presented in the case. "Links to solid evidence are required to prove guilt. The phone number used for the kidnapping could not be substantiated by the investigating officer," the decision read.

"Due to lack of evidence, the blood of a nine -year-old child went in vain." The written decision further found t deeply regrettable that the investigating officer failed to submit the required evidence.

According to the prosecution, the accused had abducted nine-year-old Asif from the Ittehad Town area in 2017. It added that the suspect demanded a ransom of Rs1.5 million from the child's father and killed the minor despite receiving Rs 130,000.

The victim's body was dumped in a sewer. Earlier, a special anti-terrorism court had sentenced the accused three terms to life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom, murder and terrorism.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2022.