| Case ID |
d715661a-1d89-4fc4-b06c-dbef5981d615 |
| Body |
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| Case Number |
Special Criminal Anti-Terrorism Appeals Nos. 82, 8 |
| Decision Date |
Dec 01, 2020 |
| Hearing Date |
Dec 01, 2020 |
| Decision |
The court allowed the appeal against conviction for Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui, concluding that the prosecution failed to establish the guilt due to inconsistencies in witness statements and evidence. Key issues included the dubious nature of the recovery of evidence and the lack of credible witnesses, leading to the determination that the accused deserved the benefit of the doubt. The judgment emphasized the fundamental principle that a single circumstance creating reasonable doubt warrants acquittal, adhering to the maxim that it is better for ten guilty persons to go free than for one innocent person to be convicted. |
| Summary |
In the case of Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui vs The STATE, the Sindh High Court addressed serious allegations of murder and terrorism under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The appellant challenged his conviction based on numerous procedural and evidentiary flaws in the prosecution's case. The court meticulously analyzed the evidence, noting inconsistencies in witness testimonies, particularly regarding the recovery of gun evidence and the credibility of the investigation. The decision reinforced the legal standard that any reasonable doubt must benefit the accused, leading to Siddiqui's acquittal. This ruling highlights critical issues in the judicial process, including the importance of reliable evidence and the role of law enforcement in ensuring a fair trial. This case serves as a significant reference point for future cases involving similar allegations of violent crimes. Relevant case law was cited to support the decision, emphasizing the necessity for rigorous scrutiny of evidence in criminal trials. |
| Court |
Sindh High Court
|
| Entities Involved |
Not available
|
| Judges |
Nazar Akbar,
Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan
|
| Lawyers |
Aamir Mansoob Qureshi,
Mamoon A. K. Sherwani,
Ms. Rubina Qadir
|
| Petitioners |
Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui
|
| Respondents |
The STATE
|
| Citations |
2024 SLD 2592,
2024 YLR 811
|
| Other Citations |
Mushtaq v. The State PLD 2008 SCMR 1,
Asad Rahmad v. The State 2019 SCMR 1156,
Sajjan Solangi v. The State 2019 SCMR 872,
Hayatullah v. The State 2018 SCMR 2092,
Nasir Javaid v. The State 2016 SCMR 1144,
Tariq Pervez v. The State 1995 SCMR 1345,
Abdul Jabbar and another v. The State 2019 SCMR 129,
Kamaluddin alias Kamla v. The State 2018 SCMR 577,
Abdul Mujeeb v. The State 1998 PCr.LJ 1381
|
| Laws Involved |
Penal Code (XLV of 1860),
Anti Terrorism Act, 1997
|
| Sections |
302(b),
324,
34,
7
|