Two senior journalists found innocent in case of kidnapping for ransom

SUKKUR/ KARACHI: Two senior journalists proved innocent in a case of kidnapping for ransom registered against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act by the Kandhkot Police of Sukkur Range. In the last two years, 27 cases of heinous crimes including terrorism, kidnapping for ransom, selling of drugs, attempt to murder and others, were registered against 50 plus journalists, majority of them in the Sukkur Police Range.

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Kandhkot, by declaring the kidnapping for ransom case as fake and fictitious registered upon two senior journalists Imdad Phulpoto and Ajeeb Lakho, affirmed them as innocent.

On Wednesday, ATC Judge Haider Ali Abro announced the judgment which earlier was reserved, after listening to the arguments of both sides, examining prosecution witnesses and after the due process of law.

The case was registered at Police Station Kacho Bhandi, district Kandhkot, Division Larkana on the complaint of Ameer Chachar, resident of Pano Aqil (some 150-kilometers away from the scene of the incident). According to the complainant Chachar, both the journalists along with a notorious dacoit Rahimo kidnapped him and freed him after getting Rs1 million as ransom.

Imdad Phulpoto, Buearu Chief, associated with GTV and Ajeeb Lakho associated with a local newspaper blamed a senior police officer, a journalist leader, and a health department lower grade employee for allegedly managing fake cases against them and other fellow journalists due to professional jealousy. Both the journalists were represented by a human rights activist and senior lawyer Abdul Ghani Bajarani.

Imdad Phulpoto told The News that they would file petitions under criminal and civil laws against the complainant and police officers who registered and managed fake cases against them with the consultation of their legal advisors.

Phulpoto added that the majority of cases registered against journalists proved fake in the courts, however, the six remaining cases are under proceeding in courts and he hoped the journalists community will get justice from the courts.