ATC acquits Lyari gang suspect in multiple cases

An anti-terrorism court (ATC), on Thursday, acquitted accused Lyari gang member, Muhammad Salam, also known as Mullah Nisar, in various charges of kidnapping, murder and police encounter, for lack of evidence against him and because of defects in the investigation carried out in this case.

This decision was taken by the anti-terrorism court which is operating within the premises of the Anti-Terrorism Complex located within Karachi Central Jail. The court ordered the jail authorities to release the accused if he was not needed in any other case.

According to the judgment given by the court, the witnesses for the prosecution were unable to give any credible identification of the accused. According to the court, the identification parade held many years after the incident could not be relied upon.

Further, the court said that the confession made by the accused before the police was irrelevant in this case as it was not made before a magistrate as per the legal requirement.

It said that although medical evidence could prove the cause of the death and the injuries but could not identify the person who inflicted them.

It is true that according to the prosecution, there were three casualties in this incident but it is not sufficient to prove the guilt of the accused.

Taking notice of the lapses, the court sought an explanation from investigating officers over serious shortcomings in the probe.