| Case ID |
0adc450b-6fe3-41f0-b81e-17eb02bbc873 |
| Body |
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| Case Number |
Criminal Petition for Special Leave to Appeal No.4 |
| Decision Date |
Jun 28, 1989 |
| Hearing Date |
|
| Decision |
The Supreme Court dismissed the petition for leave to appeal filed by Taj Muhammad against his conviction for the murder of Mumtaz Khan. The Court found that the evidence of the eyewitnesses was credible and reliable, with no proven enmity towards the accused. The minor discrepancies in their accounts were not sufficient to discredit their testimonies. The conviction under section 302 of the Penal Code was upheld, and the petitioner's life imprisonment sentence was confirmed. The Court ruled that the trial court had rightly assessed the evidence and concluded that the case against the petitioner was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. |
| Summary |
This case revolves around the conviction of Taj Muhammad for the murder of Mumtaz Khan, which occurred on 20th May 1980. The Supreme Court of Pakistan, in its ruling dated 28th June 1989, upheld the conviction based on eyewitness testimonies that confirmed the identity of the accused, dismissing claims of mistaken identity. The Court emphasized the importance of credible eyewitness accounts, especially when they come from residents of the same locality, ensuring that they had no prior animosity towards the accused. The judgment highlighted how minor discrepancies in witness statements do not undermine their overall reliability. This case serves as a significant reference point in criminal law, particularly in matters concerning the weight of eyewitness evidence and the standards for proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It also illustrates the judicial process involved in appeals against murder convictions in Pakistan, showcasing the rigorous assessment that such cases undergo in higher courts. |
| Court |
Supreme Court of Pakistan
|
| Entities Involved |
Not available
|
| Judges |
MUHAMMAD AFZAL ZULLAH,
S. USMAN ALI SHAH
|
| Lawyers |
Sardar Muhammad Ishaq Khan,
Ch. Akhtar Ali
|
| Petitioners |
Taj Muhammad
|
| Respondents |
The State
|
| Citations |
1990 SLD 601,
1990 SCMR 416
|
| Other Citations |
Not available
|
| Laws Involved |
Penal Code (XLV of 1860)
|
| Sections |
302
|