SC suspends LHC verdict, acquits man who was given death sentence by trial court
The Supreme Court (SC), while suspending the Lahore High Court (LHC)’s verdict, acquitted the accused Zafar Iqbal, who had been granted death sentence in a murder case.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Asif Syed Khosa heard the case.
Advocate Rao Shafaat Khan, counsel of the accused, took the stance that his client has been involved in a fake murder case. He told the court that the witness gave evidence after 16 days of incident.
He maintained that because the evidence against the accused is insufficient, life imprisonment should not be granted on the basis of this evidence.
The counsel told the court that the LHC already acquitted Sabir, co-accused in the murder case. On which Justice Asif Khosa gave the remarks that according to the record, witness was present at the time of the incident and also sustained injuries.
Asif Khosa said that witness is a servant of the petitioner and may have deposed falsely on the instigation of the petitioner.
After hearing the parties’ arguments, the apex court, suspending LHC’s verdict, directed to acquit the accused Zafar Iqbal.
It is worth mentioning here that Zafar Iqbal with his companions was arrested from Chakwal in 2001 in an allegation of murder attempt on Nadeem Asgar and was granted death sentenced by the trial court. The LHC, while acquitting one accused, changed the death sentence to life imprisonment.