KARACHI, Nov 20: An anti-terrorism court on Thursday acquitted two accused in a kidnapping-for-ransom case apparently due to lack of evidence.
Rashid Baloch alias Ustad and Saleem alias TT along with their absconding associates were facing charges of kidnapping Ghulam Abbas on June 20 in the Liaquatabad area and demanding a ransom of Rs1.5 million for the victim’s release.
The prosecution said the accused had released the victim on the same day after collecting the ransom.
Later, the police, acting on a tip-off, conducted a raid in Shah Latif Town and arrested Rashid Baloch and Saleem.
The judge, Abdul Ghafoor Memon of ATC-II, who conducted the trial, pronounced the verdict after hearing final arguments by the special public prosecutor and the defence counsel.
A case (FIR 97/08) was registered under Section 365-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, read with Section 7 of the Anti-terrorism Act, at the Sharifabad police station. The court had declared Bhutto Bangali and Shahid as absconders in the case.
Robbery cases
An additional district and sessions judge on Thursday awarded four and three years imprisonment to two accused in robbery cases.
The court found Mohammad Saleem and Khursheed guilty of committing two different robberies.
The judge, Ahmed Saba, pronounced the judgments after recording final arguments in both cases.
The judge in his verdict observed that the prosecution had successfully established its case against the accused in both cases by producing ample evidence and witnesses before the trial court.
The court awarded four years imprisonment to Saleem and three years to Khursheed and also imposed a fine of Rs5,000 each. In case of non-payment of the fine, the accused will have to undergo an additional three-month imprisonment.
Mohammad Saleem was charged with robbing shopkeeper Mohammad Ashraf in the limits of the Shershah police station in 2004. A case (FIR 75/04) was registered against the accused under Section 393 of the Pakistan Penal Code, while Khursheed was facing the charges of committing a robbery in Orangi Town in 2004. An FIR (210/04) was registered under sections 392 and 397 of the PPC at Orangi Town police station. Both accused were in custody and had almost completed the awarded sentence.
Kidnap-cum-murder case
Meanwhile, the judge of ATC-III on Thursday partly heard final arguments in a kidnap-cum-murder case and adjourned the hearing till Nov 22.
Farhan Ali, Mohammad Qasim and Rahil are alleged to have kidnapped and later killed 12-year-old Owais on Sept 9, 2006 in the limits of the Landhi police station.A case (221/06) against the accused was registered under Section 365-A and 302/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of the victim’s father at the Landhi police station.
The court will record the remaining arguments on the next date of hearing.
Fake shares case
A judicial magistrate (east) on Thursday remanded three suspects in custody of the Federal Investigation Agency till Nov 24 for allegedly printing and selling fake shares in the market.
The FIA had received a complaint from the Karachi stock exchange regarding the sale of fake shares and arrested suspect Niaz Rand on Nov 18 after an initial inquiry and later on his information, the FIA also arrested the other suspects, Shahzad and Mohammad Rehan, stated to be fake share designer and owner of the printing press, respectively.
According to the prosecution, the fake shares worth billions of rupees, stamps and other related documents being used in the illegal business were seized from the suspects.
A case (FIR 78/08) was registered under Section 420, 468, 471, 473 and 109/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code at the FIA, crime circle branch.
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