livelawpk.com - In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ac

Supreme Court Acquits Convicted Murderers, Citing Inconsistent Evidence and Doubts

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Supreme Court Acquits Convicted Murderers, Citing Inconsistent Evidence and Doubts

Islamabad 02-07-2024: In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquitted appellants, who were previously convicted for the murder of Abdul Majeed, citing significant inconsistencies and doubts in the prosecution's case. The judgment, delivered by a bench comprising Mr. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Mr. Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Mr. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, overturned the verdicts of both the Trial Court and the Lahore High Court.

The case revolved around the brutal killing of Abdul Majeed, for which the appellants were charged under sections 302/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Appellant No. 1 was sentenced to death, while Appellant No. 2 received a life imprisonment sentence. The Lahore High Court had upheld these convictions upon appeal, leading the appellants to seek recourse from the Supreme Court.

Key issues in the judgment included inconsistent evidence from prosecution witnesses, lack of independent corroboration, and questionable medical evidence regarding the cause of death. The Court noted that the testimonies of the witnesses were fraught with contradictions, particularly concerning the alleged involvement of Rustam Khan and the details of the murder scene.

The prosecution's claim of an illicit relationship between the appellants as a motive for the murder was also dismissed due to lack of concrete evidence. Additionally, the unexplained delay in the post-mortem examination of the deceased raised further doubts about the integrity of the investigation.

The Supreme Court emphasized the principle of giving the benefit of the doubt to the accused in the face of such significant discrepancies. The judgment concluded that the prosecution had failed to establish the guilt of the appellants beyond a reasonable doubt.

The acquittal of appellants marks a critical reminder of the necessity for reliable and consistent evidence in securing criminal convictions, and underscores the judiciary's role in upholding the principles of justice. The appellants have been ordered to be released from jail forthwith, unless required in any other case.