Alleged Lyari gangster acquitted in five cases

A sessions court on Wednesday acquitted an alleged Lyari gangster in as many as five cases pertaining to encounters with police and attempted murder.

Muhammad Salam alias Mulla Nisar, along with his accomplices, had been booked for allegedly opening fire on police with intention to kill within the jurisdiction of the Kalakot and Chakiwara police stations.

The accused moved an application before Additional District and Sessions Judge (South) Abdul Hafeez Lashari under Section 265-K of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) seeking his acquittal in these cases for lack of evidence.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge allowed the accused's acquittal application.

Defence lawyer Abid Zaman contended that no iota of evidence of any nature had been collected by the prosecution to substantiate its charges against the accused. He said that there was no probability of conviction of the accused in these cases as such the proceedings were nothing but only to wastage precious time of the court.

"The prosecution so as the complainant of the case has failed to provide any cogent evidence to support his contention. There is no evidence available on record to connect the present applicant with the commission of the alleged offence," he added, and pleaded with the judge to allow the acquittal plea of his client.

The cases were registered under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 324 (attempted murder), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.