Chakra Goth attack: ATC reserves verdict in case against MQM leaders

Prosecution says Rais Mama orchestrated attack on police van in Korangi's Chakra Goth in a bid to assert his dominance

KARACHI:

The special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Karachi has reserved its verdict in the 13-year-old case related to the Chakra Goth incident, involving MQM London’s leader Rais Mama and other accused individuals.

The hearing took place at the Anti-Terrorism Complex within Central Jail, where both defense and prosecution lawyers concluded their arguments.

Following the completion of the arguments, the court decided to reserve its verdict, which is expected to be delivered later this week.

Raja Hassan Nawaz, the defense lawyer, argued that the prosecution had failed to present substantial evidence against the accused.

Meanwhile, advocate Mushtaq Ahmed stated that no witness had identified Rais Mama during the trial. Advocate Mohammad Hassan Janjua also requested the court to acquit the accused.

According to the prosecution, Rais Mama orchestrated the attack on a police van in Chakra Goth, Korangi in 2011, in a bid to assert his dominance and terrorize the area.

The attack resulted in the deaths of three reserve police officers and left 27 others injured, including several law enforcement personnel.

The case, initially filed in 2011 at the Zaman Town police station, involves 13 accused individuals, including Rais Mama, Imran Lamba, Inam, Gul Mohammad, Qasim, and Umair, all of whom have been arrested.

The court will announce its decision on the matter in the coming days.

Previously, ATC also reserved its judgment on the acquittal plea of three accused belonging to MQM-London in the Chakra Goth attack case on November 4.

Appearing before the ATC judge in the Anti-Terrorism Complex, defence counsel Abid Zaman argued that the prosecution has failed to present incriminating evidence against the accused; therefore, his clients should be acquitted.

According to the prosecution, 21 people, including MQM-London chief Rais alias Mama, Kamran alias Madhuri, Shah Jahan alias Shaitan, and Zaheer alias Fantar, are involved in attack on a police party in 2011.

Five accused, including the former in-charge of the MQM's Tanzeemi Committee, have been declared proclaimed offenders in the case.

According to police, Rais Mama is accused of attacking a police van in Chakra Goth in 2011 in whcih three reserve police officers were killed while 27 others, including an officer, were injured in the attack.