ATTOCK, Oct 17: Additional District and Sessions Judge Mazhar Hussain Chaudhry awarded death sentence to man after convicting him of murder and handed down life imprisonment to his co-accused. A third person was acquitted of murder charges after he was found not guilty.

According to the prosecution, a murder case was registered against two persons – Gulzar and Hafiz Liaquat – by the Hassanabdal police for killing their rival – Zulfiqar – at Bhoigar village on March 27, 2006.

But the police had declared both accused as innocent in their investigation, while a third person – Mohammad Akmal – was declared as the actual accused and a charge sheet against him was submitted in a court for legal proceeding.

Shahida Bibi, wife of the deceased, filed a writ petition in the court through her counsel, Chaudhry Akhtar Advocate, stating that the police investigation was not based on reality as they not only declared the both nominated accused innocent but also implicated an innocent person allegedly after forced confession.

After holding detailed hearings, the court on Thursday awarded death sentence to Gulzar and life imprisonment to Hafiz Liaquat while acquitting Mohammad Akmal.

Soon after the verdict, the police arrested Gulzar who was on bail and present him before the court. He was later sent to the Attock district jail.

Meanwhile, the Attock City police have withdrawn an attempted murder case on the order of District Police Officer (DPO) Fakhar Sultan Raja, it has been learnt.

Officials said Tariq Mehmood, a resident of Hazro, had filed an application to the DPO, stating that the Attock City police had registered an attempted murder case against him on September 11 on the report of Zahid Hussain, whereas medico legal report did not proved him guilty.

The DPO ordered a detailed inquiry and asked the SHO and the concerned investigation officer to probe the case on merit.

After finding out the complainant’s statement valid, the DPO ordered the police to withdraw the case against him and also informed the respective court about it. Transfers: The regional police headquarters transferred Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Zahoor Hussain Shah and Constable Nasir Ahmed from the Attock district police to the Special Branch and Rawalpindi district police, respectively.

According to a press release, Regional Police Officer Nasir Khan Durrani also transferred SI Manzoor Hussain from Rawalpindi to Attock district. Meanwhile, ASI Khalid Pervaiz was transferred from the Rawalpindi’s traffic department to Jhelum district, and ASI Tariq Mehmood from Jhelum to Chakwal, while constables Sajid Ali and Sanaullah were transferred from Jhelum to Rawalpindi district.