PHC commutes death sentence to life imprisonment in Peshawar minor girls abuse, murder case

PESHAWAR, May 06 (APP): The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday commuted the death sentence of an accused convicted in the high-profile case involving sexual assault of three minor girls and murder of two in Peshawar Cantonment, converting it into life imprisonment.

A two-member bench heard three separate appeals filed by the convict, identified as Soheil alias Malangay, and partially accepted the appeals by modifying the sentence.

According to the prosecution, the accused, a resident of Sufaid Dheri, was charged with sexually assaulting three minor girls in separate incidents within the jurisdictions of West, East, and Gulberg police stations, including areas of Railway Colony, Nothia, and Kali Bari. Two of the victims were murdered, while one survived.

The incidents occurred on July 3, July 10, and July 17, 2022. In 2025, a Child Protection Court had awarded the accused three death sentences along with three life imprisonments under various charges, and also imposed a fine of Rs1 million for each complainant.

During the hearing, the prosecution maintained that the sentences awarded by the trial court were in accordance with the law and should be upheld.

However, defense counsel argued that the case relied heavily on DNA evidence which, according to him, did not meet the required legal standards and protocols.

He further contended that the accused was around 21 years old at the time and that certain critical aspects were overlooked during the investigation.

After completion of arguments, the court ruled that the death penalty was not justified under the circumstances and converted it into life imprisonment, while partially allowing the appeals.

Earlier, police had conducted an extensive investigation, reviewing footage from over 1,000 CCTV cameras installed in various areas of Peshawar Cantonment.

More than 500 suspects were interrogated, geofencing of multiple locations was carried out, and profiling of several individuals led to the eventual arrest of the accused.

Police officials had claimed that the suspect was identified through DNA testing and forensic evidence.

The accused, who worked as a tailor in Saddar and had education up to sixth grade, was reportedly involved in the crimes on Sundays.

His arrest had been considered a major breakthrough in a case that had created widespread fear across the city.