SC rejects Punjab govt’s plea against Malik Ishaque's acquittal
The seven accused LeJ members included Ghulam Rasool Shah, Abdul Hanan, Muhammad Abu Baker
The accused were framed by the police for their involvement in February 2, 1997 terrorism attack on the Khana Farhang Iran Multan in which eight Irani officials including Irani Council General were killed. The anti-terrorism court had awarded death sentence to all the accused. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday rejected the review petition filed by Punjab government against Malik Ishaque's acquittal among seven members of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ).
The three judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, observed while hearing the petition that it is the job of the courts to dispense justice even in cases relating to terrorism.
Justice Khosa observed that brutality or terrorism cannot be done while doing justice in terrorism cases.
The seven accused LeJ members included Ghulam Rasool Shah, Abdul Hanan, Muhammad Abu Baker.
The Supreme Court had acquitted these men in October 16, 2000 based on weak prosecution and lack of convincing evidence.
The accused were framed by the police for their involvement in February 2, 1997 terrorism attack on the Khana-e-Farhang Iran in Multan where eight Irani officials including the Irani Council General were killed. An anti-terrorism court had sentenced all the accused to death.
During Thursday's proceedings, Justice Khosa observed that this was a sensitive and dangerous case which could have adverse effect on the country’s relationship with the neighbouring country.
When Additional Prosecutor General Rana Abdul Majeed pleaded before the court to keep in view the sensitivity of the case, the court observed that court could not go beyond the law while deciding cases and dismissed the review petition.
The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday rejected the review petition filed by Punjab government against Malik Ishaque's acquittal among seven members of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ).
The three judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, observed while hearing the petition that it is the job of the courts to dispense justice even in cases relating to terrorism.
Justice Khosa observed that brutality or terrorism cannot be done while doing justice in terrorism cases.
The seven accused LeJ members included Ghulam Rasool Shah, Abdul Hanan, Muhammad Abu Baker.
The Supreme Court had acquitted these men in October 16, 2000 based on weak prosecution and lack of convincing evidence.
The accused were framed by the police for their involvement in February 2, 1997 terrorism attack on the Khana-e-Farhang Iran in Multan where eight Irani officials including the Irani Council General were killed. An anti-terrorism court had sentenced all the accused to death.
During Thursday's proceedings, Justice Khosa observed that this was a sensitive and dangerous case which could have adverse effect on the country’s relationship with the neighbouring country.
When Additional Prosecutor General Rana Abdul Majeed pleaded before the court to keep in view the sensitivity of the case, the court observed that court could not go beyond the law while deciding cases and dismissed the review petition.