SC dismisses plea against acquittal of blasphemy accused

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ISLAMABAD: A three-judge Supreme Court (SC) bench on Thursday dismissed a plea against the 2017 acquittal of an accused in a blasphemy case.

Headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa the bench took up a plea against the Lahore High Court (LHC) order to acquit accused Malik Ishaq, who remained in jail for eight years on the charges of blasphemy and was later acquitted due to lack of evidence.

The complainant Asadullah had challenged the accused’s acquittal in the apex court.

The bench on Thursday while hearing the matter found irregularities in the investigation. They further said that a video of the accused was recorded at Malik Saleem Iqbal’s house but he did not appear as a witness in the case.

The top court also noted that blasphemy cases should be investigated by a Superintendent Police (SP) ranked police officer under Section 196 of the Pakistan Penal Code but the same was done in this case.

The bench has thus maintained the LHC order and dismissed the petition.