Two ‘SRA men’ acquitted in terror financing, explosives cases

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) has acquitted two men, said to be associated with the outlawed Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA), in cases pertaining to terror financing, possession of explosives and illicit arms for lack of evidence.

Yasir Hussain and Allah Rakhiyu were charged with collecting funds for the banned outfit and possessing explosive material and firearms in August last year. The ATC-II judge pronounced his order after recording evidence and final arguments from both sides, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove its cases against both the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

He exonerated them from all charges and ordered their release forthwith if they are not required in any other case. “Mere saying of word from the mouth of the compainant did not constitute any offence unless corroborated by tangible evidence, and slightest doubt created in the prosecution case was sufficient to extend the benefit of doubt to the accused,” the judge remarked.

According to the prosecution, on the night between August 26 and 27, 2023, CTD officials were out on a patrol when they received spy information that two suspicious persons involved in terrorist activities and collecting funds for the proscribed outfit were present at a cafe near Sachal stop, Shar Goth. They rushed to the spot and arrested the two men, it added.

The prosecution said that during search, weapons, including hand grenades and firearms, were seized from their possession. Separates FIRs were lodged against them by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) under Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act 1908, Section 23(i)a of the Sindh Arms Act 2013 and Section 11-H and 11-N and 11-F of the Anti-Terrorism Act read with Section 7 of the ATA.