Convict awarded death on 2 counts in double murder case

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Saturday accepted the appeal against the acquittal of an accused in the murder case of his grandmother and paternal aunt in Mardan and awarded him death sentence on two counts and imposed a total fine of Rs0.6 million on him.

A division bench comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Abdul Fayyaz issued a brief verdict on the appeal filed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government against the acquittal.

Additional Advocate General Syed Sikandar Shah represented the provincial government in the case.

The AAG informed the court that the accused, Tanveer, was charged with murdering his paternal aunt and grandmother in Mardan in 2012.

He was acquitted by the Mardan Sessions Court in 2013 due to lack of evidence. Following the acquittal, the provincial government filed an appeal against the decision.

He pleaded that the accused had confessed to the crime before a local magistrate, and there was solid evidence against him. However, the trial court ignored key aspects of the case and acquitted the accused by giving him the benefit of the doubt. He argued that the prosecution had proven its case, the accused had admitted guilt, and had failed to present any defence. He said that such persons deserved severe punishment, and the trial court’s decision was contrary to the facts. He warned that letting such people roam free could pose a serious threat to society.

The defense lawyer argued in favour of the acquittal and prayed the court that the appeal be dismissed.

After hearing arguments, the court issued a brief verdict, overturning the trial court’s decision and sentencing the accused to death on two counts.

Additionally, under Section 449 of the Pakistan Penal Code, the court sentenced him to 10 years of imprisonment. The court also imposed a fine of Rs0.6 million to be paid as Diyat (compensation) to the heirs of the victims.

In case of non-payment of the fine, the accused would have to serve an additional three months in prison.