| Case ID |
19ff9288-2daf-4213-8c9f-ea344527d817 |
| Body |
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| Case Number |
Criminal Appeal No. 241 of 1977 |
| Decision Date |
Dec 20, 1981 |
| Hearing Date |
|
| Decision |
The Supreme Court of Pakistan reviewed the convictions of the appellants, who had been sentenced for murder and related offenses. The court found that the testimony of the prosecution witnesses was inconsistent and lacked corroboration. The medical evidence did not support the prosecution's claims of the injuries inflicted, and the presence of motive was deemed insufficient to establish the case against the appellants. Consequently, the court accepted the appeal, set aside the convictions and sentences, and ordered the appellants to be released unless required for other cases. |
| Summary |
In this pivotal case, the Supreme Court of Pakistan addressed the complexities of eyewitness testimony, the significance of corroborating medical evidence, and the implications of motive in criminal law. The appellants, charged with murder and other violent offenses, were ultimately exonerated due to inconsistencies in witness accounts and lack of direct evidence linking them to the crime. The ruling emphasizes the importance of reliable testimony and the necessity for corroboration in criminal proceedings, particularly when dealing with serious charges such as murder. The court's decision serves as a critical reference point for future cases involving similar legal principles, reinforcing the notion that mere presence of motive does not suffice to establish guilt. It highlights the judicial system's commitment to ensuring that convictions are based on sound evidence and fair assessments of witness credibility. |
| Court |
Supreme Court of Pakistan
|
| Entities Involved |
Not available
|
| Judges |
Muhammad Haleem ACTG. C.J.,
Shah Nawaz Khan,
Shafi-ur-Rehman
|
| Lawyers |
Mahmood Ali Kasuri, Senior Advocate Supreme Court,
Rao Muhammad Yousaf Khan, Advocate-on-Record for Appellants,
Ata-ur-Rahman, Advocate Supreme Court,
Sh. Ijaz Ali, Advocate-on-Record for the State
|
| Petitioners |
Others,
Sahib Masih
|
| Respondents |
The State
|
| Citations |
1982 SLD 186,
1982 SCMR 178
|
| Other Citations |
Not available
|
| Laws Involved |
Penal Code (XLV of 1860),
Evidence Act (I of 1872)
|
| Sections |
302,
324,
323,
149,
8
|