Shariat bench accepts appeal

The Shariat Appellate Bench (SAB) of the Supreme Court has accepted for hearing a private appeal against the acquittal of three persons tried for rape under Hadood Ordinance. The government lawyers supported the appeal.
After hearing arguments from counsel of appellant, the five-member Appeal Bench formed a tentative opinion that acquittal of two of the three accused was neither proper nor in accordance with the evidence on record.
The appellant Allah Ditta convicted by the Federal Shariat Court under Hadood Ordinance was appealing against his retention in jail and letting out of the others.
The Shariat Appellate Bench is composed of Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar (Chairman), Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Dr Allama Khalid Mahmud and Justice Dr Rashid Ahmed Jallandhari.