A division bench of the Lahore High Court giving benefit of doubt, acquitted five convicts involved in murdering one Mohammad Akram alias Koka and his sister, Ruqayya Bibi during a dacotiy. An additional session judge, Shakargarh on June 12, 2003 had awarded death sentence to Mohammad Saleem alias Seema. He was also directed to pay Rs 400, 000 as compensation to the heirs of Koka and Ruqayya.
Nazir Hussain alias Shahid, Mohammad Iqbal alias Nikka, Gulzar Ahmad alias Lumbar and Mohammad Akram alias Akki were sentenced to 25 years rigorous imprisonment each. All of the four were also directed to pay Rs 200, 000 as compensation to the heirs of both the deceased.
According to the prosecution, the convicts entered into the house of Koka on April 27, 2001 robbed him and murdered him. Ruqayya tried to save her brother, but too was shot and died later. The bench held that the occurrence was without witness and the prosecution failed to prove the case. Therefore, the bench set aside the sentences awarded to all the accused and acquitted them from the charges.
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