LHC acquits life-term convict in Sadiqabad murder case

RAWALPINDI, Jul 20 (APP): Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench on Monday set aside the life imprisonment sentence of an accused in a murder case registered at Sadiqabad Police Station, ordering his immediate release from jail.

A divisional bench comprising Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan and Justice Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh accepted the regular criminal appeal filed by the convict, Waqas Riaz Masih, and overturned the verdict of the subordinate trial court.

According to the prosecution, Maqbool Masih, a commission agent at the Islamabad fruit and vegetable market, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Sadiqabad police jurisdiction while leaving his home for work. The deceased’s son, Abrash Masih, initially registered a case against unknown killers. However, in a subsequent supplementary statement to the police, he nominated his close relative, Waqas Riaz Masih, accusing him of orchestrating the murder over business rivalry.

The sessions court, after concluding the trial, had awarded life imprisonment to Waqas Riaz Masih, against which the convict moved an appeal before the high court through his counsel, Syeda Taqi Shah Kazmi Advocate.

During the course of the hearing, the defense counsel argued that his client was sentenced contrary to the law, while the state prosecution failed to produce any solid forensic or circumstantial evidence connecting the accused to the crime scene. He further maintained that there were material contradictions in the statements of the complainant and the prosecution witnesses.

After hearing detailed arguments, the divisional bench agreed with the defense contentions, observing that the evidence on record was insufficient to establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Consequently, the court set aside the trial court’s judgment, acquitting Waqas Riaz Masih of all charges, and ordered jail authorities to release.