KARACHI:
The fate of a young child implicated in a case of extortion is expected to be decided this week. The child, who was remanded by the Anti-Terrorism Court-III on August 28, is currently being held at a borstal institution. He has been accused in a case filed by the Preedy police station under sections of the Pakistan Penal Code that include offences for extortion read with section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.
The child is believed to have collected extortion money from an alleged victim. However, the prosecution states that he was merely ‘used’ by the actual extortionists. He was arrested by the police at the spot, however the prosecution says that the police were negligent and had they tracked the child instead, he could have led them to the actual suspects.
An investigation into the child’s family has also revealed that they have no criminal background.
On Wednesday, Special Public Prosecutor Abdul Maroof asked the investigating officer to submit a report within three days. The report should comment on whether after an investigation, there was no evidence or reasonable grounds or suspicion to justify forwarding the accused to a magistrate. The accused could then be released.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2012.
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