IN THE HIGH COURT OF SINDH AT KARACHI
Spl ATA Appeal No.11 of 2013
Spl ATA
Appeal No.13 of 2013
Present:
Mr.
Justice Sajjad Ali Shah
Mr.
Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto
Appellant : Muhammad Zeeshan alias Rasheed S/o Muhammad Rafiq
through Mr. Muhammad Hanif Qureshi, Advocate.
Appellant : Muhammad Siddique alias Shahid Baloch alias Saddam S/o Muhammad Saleem through Mr. Manzoor Ahmed Advocate.
Respondent : The State through Mr. Khadim Hussain Khuharo, Deputy Prosecutor
General Sindh.
Date of hearing : 21.03.2014
Date of announcement: 10.04.2014
J U D G M E N T
NAIMATULLAH PHULPOTO, J.-
Appellants Muhammad Zeeshan alias Rasheed
and Muhammad Siddiq alias Shahid
Baloch alias Saddam were tried for offences under
Sections 386, 387, 34 PPC read with Section 7 of the
Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, by learned Additional Sessions Judge-III/Judge,
Anti-Terrorism Court, Karachi South, who vide Judgment dated 17.05.2013 found
the Appellants/accused guilty for the offences charged with and convicted them
under Section 7(h) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 read with Sections 386, 387,
34 PPC for five years R.I. and to pay fine of Rs.100,000/- each. In case of default, in payment of the
fine, appellants were directed to suffer S.I. for 6
months more. Accused were extended benefit under section 382(b) Cr.PC. We
intend to decide the aforesaid appeals by this Judgment.
2. Brief facts leading to the filing of the
instant Appeals are that on 05.11.2012 complainant Abdul Sattar
lodged F.I.R. at Police Station Napier, Karachi
South, alleging therein that on 16.08.2012 at 03:00 p.m. he received a call on
his phone No.32736230 from mobile No0347-2697062.
The caller disclosed his name as Zeeshan alias Rasheed and claimed to belong the Lyari Gang War. Complainant was asked to make
arrangement of Bhatta of Rs.300,000/-. It is alleged that
complainant replied that he would talk to him after Eid.
It is alleged that on 24.08.2012 caller established contact and agreed to
received Bhatta Rs.100,000/-
instead of Rs.300,000/-. Thereafter, it is mentioned that accused Zeeshan
alias Rasheed asked the complainant to reach at Ramzan Kanta at 03:50 p.m. for
payment. Entire episode was narrated by the complainant to his business community
in the market, namely, Zahid Hussain and Muhammad Shareef. These two PWs,
accompanied the complainant to the specified place, namely, Ramzan
Kanta where it is alleged that one person having a fair
complexion aged about 19/20 years appeared and introduced himself to the
complainant as Zeeshan alias Rasheed.
He was armed with pistol. Complainant due to fear handed over cash Rs.100,000/- to him. He was
accompanied by two accused persons, who were standing at some distance with
motorcycle. Thereafter all three accused drove away. Complainant was informed
names of accused persons by the PWs. The name of one
accused was told as Muhammad Siddiq alias Shahid Baloch and the name of
another was told as Aftab. They reside in Ghanchi Mohallah. Complainant
further stated that after one month again accused Zeeshan
had called the complainant from mobile No.0345-2106500
and demanded Bhatta. After
negotiation complainant paid him Rs.7000/- at Ramzan Kanta. On 13.10.2012
complainant again received a mobile call on 0300-9217244 from Cell No.0311-2620936, caller claimed that he belong to Lyari Gang War and demanded Rs.1,000,000/-, in case of nonpayment of Bhatta, threat to the life of
complainant and his children was issued. Thereafter, complainant lodged F.I.R. It was recorded on 05.11.2012 at 19:00 hours vide
Crime No.181/2012 under Sections 386, 387, 34 PPC read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
3. After registration of the F.I.R. 161 Cr.PC statement of PWs
were recorded. Place of occurrence was inspected in presence of mashirs, such
mashirnama was prepared. Inspector Muhammad Ashraf, the investigation officer,
received information that accused persons wanted in this crime were under
arrest in another case at SIU Saddar.
Thereafter, inspector/IO proceeded there and arrested accused Muhammad Siddiq and Muhammad Zeeshan in F.I.R. No.181/2012, registered at
P.S. Napier. Mashirnama of arrest was prepared in presence of the mashirs.
During interrogation, appellants/accused disclosed the name of the absconding
accused as Aftab. Identification parade of accused through
eye witnesses of the incident i.e. complainant Abdul Sattar,
Zahid Hussain and Muhammad Sharjeel
was held before Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate and telephone data was
collected. On the completion of investigation, challan was submitted against
the accused under the above referred sections. Accused Aftab was
shown as absconder and he was declared as proclaimed offender. Proceedings u/s
87-88 Cr.P.C were concluded against him.
4. Charge was framed against the appellants
at Ex.20. To the charge accused pleaded not guilty
and claimed to be tried. At the trial prosecution examined the following PWs:
1. PW Abdul Sattar at Exhibit-21
2. PW Syed Zahid Shah at Exhibit-22
3. PW Zahid
Hussain Piprni at Exhibit-23
4. PW Muhammad Sharjeel Goplani Exhibit-24
5. PW Syed Raza Shareef Rizvi, Exhibit-25.
6. PW Muhammad Shafiullah at Exhibit-26
7. PW Mir Hassan,
Exhibit-27
8.
PW Muhammad Ashraf at Exhibit-28.
5. Thereafter, prosecution side was closed
vide statement of D.D.P.P. dated 18.04.2013 at Ex.
29.
6. Appellants/accused have
disputed the case of the prosecution in their statement recorded under section
342 Cr.PC and pleaded business jealousy with complainant party. However, they
did not step into the witness box to give the evidence on oath in disproof of
the prosecution allegations and also led no evidence in defence. However,
certain documents/news cuttings were placed on record through the statement of
defence counsel.
7. The case of the prosecution mainly hinges
upon the ocular testimony, consisting of three eye witnesses, namely. (i) Abdul
Sattar, (ii)
Muhammad Sharjeel and (iii) Zahid
Hussain, which is further corroborated by the identification parade and cell
data record.
8. Complainant is the star witness of the
prosecution and his testimony seems to have weighed considerably with the trial
Court against the appellants, it has come on record through the complainant
that on 16.08.2012 he had received a mobile call from accused Zeeshan, it was month of Ramzan.
He replied him that after Eid, he would settle the
amount. Complainant has stated that accused Zeeshan
demanded Bhatta of Rs.300,000/- but deal was
finalized in Rs.100,000/-. Thereafter, complainant
along with his friends namely Mohammad Sharjeel and Zahid Hussain went to the Ramzan Kanta. P.Ws Sharjeel
and Zahid Hussain stood by the side of Ramzan Kanta. Accused Zeeshan appeared, armed with pistol, introduced himself to
the complainant as accused Zeeshan and demanded money
and complainant paid him Rs.100,000/-. Two persons who were standing on the side with motorcycle, took
the accused Zeeshan on the motorcycle and drove away.
Thereafter, PWs Zahid
Hussain and Sharjeel disclosed names of the two
persons, who were standing by the side of the Naka as Mohammad Siddique and Aftab. P.Ws explained that those accused
reside in Ghanchi Mohallah.
After one month of payment of Bhatta,
complainant again received a mobile call from accused Zeeshan,
who told him that he was arranging marriage of his sister and demanded some
amount in Hadiyah. Complainant went to the pointed
place and paid Rs.7000/- to accused
Zeeshan. Complainant has deposed that on 04.11.2012,
his elder brother received call, the caller introduced himself as Arshad Papu and demanded Bhatta of Rs.10,00,000/-.
Complainant went to the police station along with P.Ws
and lodged the Report against the accused. He has produced FIR at Ex.21/A. Inspector Zahid Shah
visited place of incident, it was shown to him by
complainant in presence of the mashirs. Such mashirnama was prepared. On 11.12.2012
complainant received notice for his appearance before the Magistrate for
identification parade, it was held on 19.11.2012 in which he identified only
accused Zeeshan. In the cross-examination he has replied
that he has not identified accused Siddique during identification parade held
before the Magistrate. He has replied that accused Zeeshan
had shown him pistol for receiving the Bhatta. Complainant has denied the
suggestion that he has involved the accused in this case falsely at the
instance of the police.
9. P.W-3 Zahid Hussain Piprani is eye
witness. He has deposed that after Eid-ul-Fiter, he
received a mobile call from the complainant who informed him that someone has
demanded Bhatta of Rs.300,000/- from him. P.W Zahid Hussain advised the
complainant to reach at P.W Sherjeel,
who is General Secretary of Timber Market. Complainant narrated the entire
episode to P.W Sherjeel and
stated that deal has been finalized in Rs.100,000/- and place of payment has been fixed at Ramzan Kanta. Complainant was
advised that he should accompany P.Ws Zahid and Sherjeel at the time of
payment of Bhatta. On 24.08.2012 at
3:00 or 3:30 pm all the three persons reached at Ramzan
Kanta where P.Ws Zahid and Sherjeel stood at some
distance from Kanta and complainant proceeded ahead
where one person appeared and received Bhatta
of Rs.100,000/- from the
complainant. PW Zahid Hussain had received notice
during investigation for appearance before the Magistrate for the purpose of
identification parade of the accused and he has deposed that it was held on
19.11.2012 and he identified accused Zeeshan and
Siddique in the identification parade, he identified both the accused in Court
also. In the cross-examination to learned Advocate for accused Siddique replied
that he has identified accused Zeeshan and siddique at spot and identified before the Magistrate. He
has denied the suggestion that there was dispute between the Saleem and Farhan. In cross examination to learned Advocate for
accused Zeeshan witness has replied that he knows the
accused persons since long as they reside in the same street. However, he has
denied the suggestion that there is relationship in between him and father of
accused Zeeshan. Witness has also denied the
suggestion that he was deposing falsely against the accused at the instance of
the police.
10. P.W-4 Mohammad Sherjeel is the eye witness of the incident. He has deposed
that on 24.08.2012, he was present at his office at Old Haji Camp Karachi.
Complainant Abdul Sattar along with P.W Zahid Piprani
appeared in his office as he is the General Secretary of All Karachi Tajir Ittehad Timber Merchants.
Complainant narrated him the entire episode regarding demand of Bhatta. P.W
Mohammad Sherjeel accompanied complainant and P.W Zahid to the Ramzan Kanta where complainant
had to make payment of Bhatta of Rs.100,000/-. He has stated that
he went on motorcycle with P.W Zahid
to the pointed place. Complainant was also with them but on his own motorcycle,
when they reached at Ramzan Kanta,
he along with PW Zahid Piprani
stood in front of Ramzan Kanta
and complainant Sattar went to the accused who was
standing at Ramzan Kanta
and gave Rs.100,000/- to
accused Zeeshan. He further stated that motorcycle of
accused Zeeshan was parked near to them. After
receipt of Bhatta he proceeded to his motorcycle where two persons were
standing by the side of the motorcycle thereafter, all the three accused drove
away on the said motorcycle and complainant party returned back. After 2/3
months complainant again received a mobile call regarding Bhatta of Rs.10,00,000/-
and complainant contacted him and narrated this fact. This P.W
came to know that accused are residing in the same locality. Complainant lodged
FIR against them on 05.11.2012. On 12.11.2012 he received notice regarding
holding of identification parade before Civil Judge & Judicial Magistrate.
He appeared in the Court of Civil Judge & Judicial Magistrate, but he was
on casual leave. However, 164 Cr.P.C statement was
recorded on 19.11.2012. He has stated that accused Zeeshan
and Siddique present in the Court are same, accused Aftab
is absconder. In the cross-examination to the Advocate for accused Siddique P.W has replied that he had identified accused persons
before the Magistrate at the time of his recording 164 Cr.P.C statement. In the
cross-examination witness has replied that Magistrate held identification
parade and he identified both accused. In the cross examination to learned
Advocate for accused Zeeshan he has replied that
place of incident was thickly populated area but there was no rush of public as
it was Friday. He has denied the suggestion that he was deposing falsely
against the accused. He has also denied the suggestion that entire story is
managed one.
11. P.W-6 Mr.
Mohammad Shafiullah Civil Judge & Judicial
Magistrate, Karachi South has deposed that I.O of P.S Napier submitted an application before him in Crime No.181 of 2012 for holding the identification parade and
recording 164 Cr.P.C statements of Sherjeel and Zahid Hussain. Civil
Judge and J.M on 19.11.2012 held identification
parade of accused after observing the formalities through P.Ws
Abdul Sattar and Zahid
Hussain. Both PWs identified the accused persons.
Judicial Magistrate has also stated that accused Zeeshan
and Siddique present in the Court are same. In the cross examination to
Advocate for Zeeshan Judicial Magistrate has replied
that he had conducted identification parade of accused persons in accordance
with law. He has replied that he has not mentioned the features of dummies.
Judicial Magistrate has further replied that firstly he held identification
parade of accused Zeeshan, thereafter of accused
Siddique. He has denied the suggestion that he had not conducted identification
parade according to law.
12. P.W-2 Syed Zahid Shah has stated that on 05.11.2012 he was posted at
PS Napier in the investigation branch. He received copy of the FIR of Crime No.
181/2012 u/s 386/387/34 PPC for investigation. He
inspected place of occurrence situated at Ramzan Kanta it was pointed out by complainant. He inspected it in
presence of mashirs and prepared such mashirnama. Thereafter, investigation was
transferred from him to Inspector Mohammad Ashraf.
13. P.W-8 Mohammad
Ashraf I.O has stated that on 07.11.2012 he received
papers of aforesaid crime for further investigation. During investigation he
received information that accused wanted in this case were under arrest in some
other case at SIU Saddar.
Thereafter, I.O proceeded there and arrested accused
Mohammad Siddique and Zeeshan in this case/crime.
During interrogation both accused disclosed that absconding accused Aftab was also involved with them in this case. He had
prepared mashirnama of arrest in presence of the mashirs and recorded 161
Cr.P.C statements of the P.Ws and produced both
accused before learned Judge ATC-III, for obtaining
the remand. He has deposed that learned Judge ATC
directed him to produce the accused before the Magistrate for identification
parade through the eye witnesses and production of the witnesses before the
Magistrate for recording their 164 Cr.P.C statements as well as medical
examination of accused Zeeshan and Siddique. Both
accused were produced before concerned Medical Officer Civil Hospital for
medical examination. I.O. submitted an application on
10.11.2012 before Civil Judge & Judicial Magistrate concerned for conducting
identification parade and recording of 164 Cr.P.C statements of the P.Ws. Investigation officer has further stated that on
10.11.2012 he moved an application to SSP, SIU, Saddar Karachi, for
obtaining the record of telephone calls of accused Zeeshan.
On 22.11.2012 Investigation Officer collected mobile phone record. On
19.11.2012 he produced accused before the Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate
for holding identification parade of accused Zeeshan
and Siddiq through the witnesses and for recording of
164 Cr.P.C statements of PWs Sharjeel
and Zahid. After completion of investigation, he
submitted challan against accused Zeeshan and
Siddique. In the cross examination, Investigating Officer has replied that
accused were already under arrest in another case at SIU
Saddar, when he had started investigation in the case
on 07.11.2012. He has replied that accused were under arrest in Crime No.
468/12 registered at PS Saeedabad for offences u/s
324/353/34 PPC. The Investigating Officer has denied
about any news cutting report regarding this case. He has also denied about any
news flashed on some TV Channel. He has denied the suggestion that he has
falsely implicated the accused in this case. He has also denied the suggestion
that he had not conducted fair investigation in this case.
14. P.W-5 Syed Raza Shareef Rizvi deposed that on
07.04.2012 he received investigation of three cases bearing Crime Nos. 468, 469
and 470 of 2012. During interrogation accused Siddique and Zeeshan
disclosed that they have received extortion money from one person near Ghas Mandi. Thereafter, he
informed highups and Inspector Ashraf Awan,
investigation officer of this case, came in his office, who
arrested the accused in this case. In cross examination, he replied that in FIR
No.468/2012 he received spy information that accused
persons Aftab, Zeeshan and
Siddique were sitting at Cheepa Graveyard Hub River
Road, who were involved in extortion of money cases.
15. P.W-7 Meer Hassan
has stated that on 05.11.2012 he was present at P.S
Napier, where complainant Abdul Sattar came and narrated
the entire episode to him. He lodged FIR against accused Zeeshan,
Mohammad Siddique and Aftab. In cross examination he replied
that after recording of FIR he handed over the same to the I.O.
16. It was the entire prosecution evidence,
which has been brought on record by the prosecution.
17. Learned counsel for the appellants/accused
mainly contended that there was delay in lodging of the FIR for which no
plausible explanation has been furnished. Prosecution evidence was unnatural
and unbelievable. It is also contended that PWs had
seen the accused at the police station before holding of identification parade.
It is argued that there was dispute over the business between the accused and
the complainant. It is submitted that defence plea has not been considered by
the trial Court and there are material contradictions in the prosecution evidence.
Complainant Abdul Sattar did not implicate appellant
Siddique. Lastly, it is argued that evidence of telephone data is not reliable
and prosecution has failed to prove its case against the accused.
18. Mr. Khadim Hussain Khunharo,
learned DPG appearing for the
State, argued that there are three eye witnesses of the incident . Accused were
identified by the eye witnesses in the Identification parade as well as in the Court. Learned D.P.G. argued that complainant Abdul Sattar
did not implicate appellant Siddique due to threat of life as accused persons belong
to Lyari Gang. He has submitted that telephone data
is a corroboratory piece of evidence against the appellants/accused to connect
them in this case. Lastly, it is argued that no evidence in defence has been
led to establish the dispute between the complainant
and accused. He has fully supported the judgment of the trial Court and stated
that prosecution has proved the case against the accused.
19. We have carefully scanned the entire evidence
and came to the conclusion that Complainant has categorically stated that he
paid bhatta to accused Zeeshan
in presence of PWs Zahid
Hussain and Sharjeel, accused Muhammad Siddique and Aftab were present with Zeeshan and
were standing at some distance at the relevant time. Their names were disclosed
to complainant by PWs Zahid
Hussain and Sharjeel as these accused were residing
in Ghanchi Mohalla. Complainant
Abdul Sattar has not implicated appellant Siddique at
trial. Eye witnesses, namely, Sharjeel and Zahid Hussain have
also fully implicated the accused and
stated that they had seen accused Zeeshan while
receiving bhatta of Rs.
100,000/- at that time co-accused Siddiq and
absconding accused were standing by the side of motor cycle. Thereafter, all
accused drove away the motor cycle. In the identification parade eye witnesses
of the incident rightly picked up both the accused. Magistrate has also
categorically stated that both the accused were identified by eye witnesses
before him in the identification parade. P.W Zahid
Hussain identified both the appellants in the identification parade as well as
in Court. P.W Sharjeel had
also identified both the accused. Despite lengthy cross-examination, no
material contradiction has been brought on record. Eye witnesses had no enmity
whatsoever with the accused persons to falsely implicate them in this case. Delay
in lodging of F.I.R. has also been fully explained by
complainant. Therefore, delay in lodging of F.I.R. is
not fatal to the case of prosecution. Defence plea has also not been
substantiated by some documentary evidence. As such, defence theory regarding business
dispute appears to be afterthought and it is not acceptable. The
contention of learned advocate for the appellants that one eye witness, namely,
Abdul Sattar (complainant) has not implicated the
co-accused Muhammad Siddiq and prosecution case has
become doubtful. We are not persuaded to agree with the learned defence counsel
for the reason that it is a matter of public knowledge that in Sindh, on
account of kidnapping for ransom, offence of extortion of money and other
heinous offences people feel insecure, this aspect of ground reality cannot be
overlooked. Moreover, it is settled law that even if major portion of evidence
is found to be deficient, in case residue is sufficient to prove the guilt, it
is fundamental duty of the Court to separate the grain from the chaff, where
chaff can be separated from the grain it would be open to the Court to convict
an accused. Trial Court rightly overlooked technicalities and believed
prosecution evidence. So far delay in
conducting identification parade is concerned, appellants were arrested in this
case on 07.11.2012 and they were put to identification parade on 19.11.2012.
Delay has been explained by the Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate in holding
the identification parade, he deposed that investigation officer moved
application before him on 10.11.2012, he proceeded on casual leave, Link
Magistrate refused to conduct identification parade. Even otherwise, no inherent
defect in conducting identification parade has been brought on the record. We
have no reasons to disbelieve such piece of evidence. Moreover, the recording
and appreciation of evidence is primary function of the trial Court and the
trial Court which had the benefit of observing the demeanours
of the witnesses, after assessing and examining the corroborative evidence
found witnesses worthy of reliance. It is settled law if the accused is
identified in the Court and evidence inspires confidence it is sufficient to
record the conviction. Reliance can be placed upon the case reported as Ghazanfar Ali alias Pappu and
other Vs. the State (2012 SCMR 215). Relevant portion
is reproduced as under:-
“Even
otherwise the holding of identification parade is not mandatory and it is
merely a corroborative piece of evidence. If the statement of a witness qua the
identity of an accused even in Court inspires confidence, if he is consistent
on all material particulars and there is nothing in evidence to suggest that he
is deposing falsely, the absence of holding of identification parade would not
be fatal to the prosecution.”
20. Telephone data/record has also been
produced by the prosecution which clearly shows that accused Zeeshan contacted the complainant from his cell number.
Such piece of evidence has not been rebutted in cross-examination. As such, there
is huge evidence against both the appellants /accused to connect them in this
case. Learned counsel for the appellants after prosecution side was closed, filed
certain documents through his statement, including news cutting. We have
observed that neither such documents were produced in the evidence in
accordance with law nor opportunity was provided to the prosecutor for
cross- examination. As such, no reliance can be placed upon such documents. Despite
that, in the best interest of justice we have looked into such documents. There
is nothing substantial in those documents to discredit such confidence
inspiring prosecution evidence which has been brought on record. From the prosecution
evidence it is proved that an offence of extortion of money which is called as “Bhatta” is proved. It is covered by
sections 386 to 388 PPC and falls within the
definition given in Section 6(1)(k) of Anti-Terrorism
Act, 1997. Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Wattan Party vs. Federation of Pakistan reported in PLD 2011 SC 997 at Page 1070 observed that such type of
offence can only be controlled by applying such laws strictly. It is held as
under:-
“64. It
may be noted that as far as offence of extortion of money is concerned, which
can also be considered as bhatta, it is covered by
section 386 to 388 of the Pakistan Penal Code and also falls within the
definition of terrorism given in Section 6(1)(k) of
the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. Undoubtedly, sufficient legal framework as
discussed hereinabove is available on the statute book, but the same is lying
dormant because of its non-application as people do not have trust in the law
enforcing agencies to counter the deadly and influential persons who happen to
terrorize the innocent citizenry and due to this reason no one comes forward.
It is common knowledge that mafias i.e. groups of criminals involved in the
commission of heinous crimes, such as recovery of bhatta,
extortion of money, business of illegal weapons, narcotics, drugs, land
grabbing, etc. had been working in other
countries as well in a highly organized
manner. Reference in this behalf may be made to the Sicilan
and American Cosa Nostra, an Italian group also
working in New York, but in those countries the crime was controlled by
promulgating and implementing stringent
laws, which we also have in our
jurisdiction, namely, Anti –Terrorism Act, 1997, therefore, we can also control the same by applying such laws
strictly. In USA, to control such underworld mafias, the State authorized
through the courts seizure of properties of such like persons, if it was
established that they had acquired such properties out of income from the proceeds
of heinous crimes. In this behalf, reference may be made to the case of Bracy v. Gramley,
Warden, {520 US. 899(1997), wherein the Supreme Court of United States did
not show any concession to the culprits. There are so many other judgments,
reference of which may not be necessary at this stage, where the Governments
had succeeded to control the mafias after applying stringent measures.”
21. We
have no reasons to disbelieve such confidence inspiring evidence. Trial Court
has rightly appreciated evidence according to settled principles of law. It is
high time for Courts to control offences of extortion of money by applying laws
of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, strictly. Appellants deserve no concession at all.
The Honourable Supreme Court in more than one case has held that approach of
the court while deciding the criminal matters should be dynamic and it should
take into consideration the surrounding situation and should not lightly set
aside a conviction on technical ground if the Court’s conscience is satisfied
that factually the convict was guilty of the offence. In this regard, reference
may be made to the case of State through Advocate-General Sindh,
Karachi v. Farman Hussain and others (PLD 1995 SC 1).
Relevant portion is reproduced
as under:-
“2. Before touching upon the merits of
the case, I may observe that there cannot be two opinions that the duty of the
Court is to administer the laws as are operative in the country and if such
laws fail to achieve the desired result, then it is the duty of the legislature
to make necessary amendments therein. However, at the same time, it is also a
well-settled proposition of law that while applying a particular law, the Court
should take into consideration the object for which it has been enacted. The
interpretation of the law should be placed in a manner which may advance the
object and suppress the mischief for which the law in question might have been
enacted and not to construe in a manner which may defeat the object of the law.
3. It
is a matter of public knowledge that in Sindh, on account of kidnapping for
ransom, commission of dacoities and other offences,
the people are feeling insecured. The learned trial
Court has dilated upon these aspects in details. I am inclined to subscribe to
the view found favour with it. The approach of the Court in matters like the
case in hand should be dynamic and if the Court is satisfied that the offence
has been committed in the manner in which it has been alleged by the
prosecution, the technicalities should be overlooked without causing any
miscarriage of justice.”
22. For the above stated reasons, while and
relying upon above cited authorities, we have come to conclusion that
prosecution has proved its case against the appellants beyond reasonable doubt and
trial Court has rightly appreciated evidence in it’s true perspective, dilated
upon all aspects of the case and believed prosecution evidence by assigning sound
reasons, therefore, we maintain appellants’ conviction and sentence awarded by
trial Court. There is no merit in the appeals, resultantly, the same are dismissed.
23. Before parting with judgment, it is ordered
that Registrar of this Court shall send copies of this judgment to learned
Judges, Anti-Terrorism Courts and all District and Sessions Judges for
circulation of the same amongst other Courts working under their administrative
control.
JUDGE
JUDGE
Gulsher/PA