| Case ID |
1e280061-e7fb-4088-b0e8-8610b22a6f23 |
| Body |
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| Case Number |
Criminal Appeal No.39 of 1985 |
| Decision Date |
Jun 01, 1988 |
| Hearing Date |
May 31, 1988 |
| Decision |
The Supreme Court of Pakistan accepted the appeal of Muhammad Ajmal against his conviction under sections 302 and 452 of the Penal Code. The court found that the prosecution had failed to prove its case against the appellant beyond any reasonable doubt. The evidence provided by the prosecution was deemed contradictory and insufficient. The court highlighted that mere doubtful narrations by prosecution witnesses would not carry credence without clear and straightforward evidence. As a result, the impugned judgment of the High Court was set aside, and Muhammad Ajmal was acquitted, leading to his immediate release if not required in any other case. |
| Summary |
In the landmark case of Criminal Appeal No.39 of 1985, the Supreme Court of Pakistan addressed critical issues related to evidence evaluation and the standard of proof in criminal law. The appellant, Muhammad Ajmal, was convicted by the Lahore High Court for the murder of Khalid Farooq Wattoo and sentenced to death. However, upon review, the Supreme Court found significant discrepancies in the prosecution's evidence, including contradictions between medical reports and witness testimonies. The court emphasized the necessity for the prosecution to provide clear, unimpeachable evidence to uphold a conviction. As a result, the court acquitted Ajmal, underscoring the principle that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case highlights the importance of credible evidence in ensuring justice within the legal framework. Keywords: criminal appeal, Supreme Court, evidence evaluation, murder conviction, legal principles. |
| Court |
Supreme Court of Pakistan
|
| Entities Involved |
Not available
|
| Judges |
Muhammad Haleem, C.J.,
Shafiur Rahman,
Usman Ali Shah
|
| Lawyers |
Aftab Farrukh, Senior Advocate Supreme Court,
Ch. Akhtar Ali, Advocate-on-Record,
Raja Abdul Ghafoor, Advocate, Supreme Court,
Ran M. Yousaf Khan, Advocate-on-Record,
Miara Abdur Rahman, Advocate-on-Record,
Sh. Shaukat Ali, Senior Advocate Supreme Court
|
| Petitioners |
Muhammad Ajmal
|
| Respondents |
The State
|
| Citations |
1989 SLD 362,
1989 SCMR 434,
1989 SLD 918
|
| Other Citations |
Not available
|
| Laws Involved |
Penal Code (XLV of 1860)
|
| Sections |
302,
452
|