Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
International

No Evidence, No Witness: Pak Supreme Court Releases Man After 18 Years

Darpan News Desk IANS, 26 Sep, 2019 07:41 PM
  • No Evidence, No Witness: Pak Supreme Court Releases Man After 18 Years


After being in jail for over 18 years for charges under Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws, a death-row convict was finally acquitted by the country's Supreme Court due to lack of evidence.


A three-judge Supreme Court bench in Pakistan, headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, on Wednesday released Wajih-ul-Hassan, lodged in Lahore's Kot Lakhpath jail, from the blasphemy charges, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.


A case was registered against Mr Hassan in 1999 for writing blasphemous letters to a lawyer. In 2001, a handwriting expert in his report said that the writing of the accused closely matched with the letters in question. Based on this, a court in Lahore convicted Mr Hassan and awarded him death sentence. The decision was later maintained by the Lahore High Court as well.


Under Pakistan's penal code, the offence of blasphemy is punishable by death or life imprisonment.


In its judgement on Wednesday, Pakistan's Supreme Court observed that the prosecution has failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the letters, which became the basis of blasphemy allegations against Mr Hassan, were actually written by him, and consequently rejected the case.


Pakistan's top court also noted that there was no direct witness in the case.


Last year, Pakistan's Supreme Court had acquitted Aasia Bibi, the first woman to be sentenced to death under Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws, in a high-profile sacrilege case.


While deciding the case of the Christian woman, the Supreme Court had held that it was not for individuals or a gathering (mob) to decide whether any act falling within the purview of blasphemy had been committed or not.


It is the top court's mandate to make such decisions after conducting a fully qualified trial on the basis of credible evidence.


Blasphemy is considered a sensitive topic in Pakistan and those accused of it often spend long years of their life in jails.


Although the state has never executed anyone for the offence, at least 65 people have been murdered in Pakistan by mobs over blasphemy allegations since 1990, according to Pakistan-based think-tank Centre for Research and Security Studies.

MORE International ARTICLES

Pakistan Points To India Hand In Case Of Missing Armyman Lt Col Habib Zahir

"The government continues to make all out efforts to locate him and shall not rest until he is home."

Pakistan Points To India Hand In Case Of Missing Armyman Lt Col Habib Zahir

Ghotki Anti-Hindu Riots A Conspiracy: Imran Khan

"I condemn what happened in Ghotki. All citizens are given equal importance in the Constitution and the Islam," Samaa TV reported quoting him.    

Ghotki Anti-Hindu Riots A Conspiracy: Imran Khan

MISSING: Police Looking For 20 Year Brampton Man SUNPREET SANDHU

Sandhu Was Last Seen At 9:00 P.m., On Friday, August 16, 2019, In The Area Of Pluto Drive And Simmons Boulevard In The City Of Brampton 9:00p.m..

MISSING: Police Looking For 20 Year Brampton Man SUNPREET SANDHU

Indian-Americans Urge US Congressman Ro Khanna To Leave Pakistan Caucus

Indian-Americans Urge US Congressman Ro Khanna To Leave Pakistan Caucus
Ro Khanna, 42, became the first Indian-American to have joined the Congressional Pakistan Caucus last month. He is also the member Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, which is the largest country-specific caucus in the House of Representatives.  

Indian-Americans Urge US Congressman Ro Khanna To Leave Pakistan Caucus

Trump Signalling He Considers PM Modi Ally: Ex Pak Envoy On Texas Event

Donald Trump said he will join PM Modi for the mega Indian community event "Howdy, Modi!" in Houston. This would be the 3rd meeting between Trump and PM Modi this year. The previous 2 were on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Japan in June and on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France in July.  

Trump Signalling He Considers PM Modi Ally: Ex Pak Envoy On Texas Event

Lahore Man Chops Off Wife's Nose, Hair After A Heated Argument

A man in Lahore on Tuesday cut off his wife's nose and hair during a fight following which the woman was rushed to a hospital, the police said.

Lahore Man Chops Off Wife's Nose, Hair After A Heated Argument