| Case ID |
2e56d6ef-7b85-4e13-8f3c-533fe0ee1981 |
| Body |
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| Case Number |
Criminal Appeals Nos. 692, 743 of 2006, P.S.L.A. N |
| Decision Date |
Apr 17, 2015 |
| Hearing Date |
Apr 17, 2015 |
| Decision |
The Lahore High Court acquitted the appellants Maqbool Arshad @ Sajjad Hussain, Latif @ Mithu, and Ramzan @ Bali of the charges against them. The court found that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, as there were serious doubts about the credibility of the witnesses. The evidence presented had inconsistencies, and significant improvements were made by the complainant and the injured witness during the trial, which compromised their reliability. The court emphasized that in criminal cases, if there is any doubt, it must be resolved in favor of the accused. The decision underscored the importance of credible evidence and the presumption of innocence. |
| Summary |
In the case of Maqbool Arshad @ Sajjad Hussain and others vs. The State, the Lahore High Court addressed serious allegations of murder and attempted murder under the Penal Code. The appellants were accused of involvement in the murder of Naveed Alam during an altercation related to agricultural land. The court highlighted the prosecution's failure to present compelling evidence, including the lack of forensic support and the unreliability of eyewitness testimonies. The case illustrates the critical role of credible evidence in criminal proceedings and the legal principle that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. Keywords such as 'murder acquittal', 'eyewitness reliability', 'criminal procedure', and 'benefit of doubt' are significant in understanding the implications of this ruling. The court's decision to acquit the appellants reinforces the foundational legal principle that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case serves as an important reference in discussions about the standards of evidence required in criminal trials, particularly in cases involving serious charges like murder. |
| Court |
Lahore High Court
|
| Entities Involved |
Not available
|
| Judges |
ABDUL SAMI KHAN
|
| Lawyers |
Arshad Nazir Mirza,
Rana Muhammad Zahid,
Irfan Zia,
Muhammad Inayat Ullah Cheema
|
| Petitioners |
Maqbool Arshad Alias Sajjad Hussain,
Latif Alias Mithu,
Ramzan Alias Bali
|
| Respondents |
THE STATE,
Muhammad Asif,
Abid Hussain,
Rabnawaz,
Waheed Ahmad Alias Waheed Murad,
Haqnawaz,
Muhammad Ramzan Alias Pasha
|
| Citations |
2016 SLD 2713 = 2016 PCRLJ 491
|
| Other Citations |
Syed Saeed Muhammad Shah and another v. The State 1993 SCMR 550,
Muhammad Rafique and others v. The State and others 2010 SCMR 385,
Akhtar Ali and others v. The State 2008 SCMR 6,
Muhammad Akram v. The State 2009 SCMR 230,
Inayat Ullah Butt v. Muhammad Javed and others PLD 2003 SC 562
|
| Laws Involved |
Penal Code (XLV of 1860),
Criminal Procedure Code (V of 1898)
|
| Sections |
302(b),
324,
417
|