Supreme Court frees murder suspect after 11 years

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday acquitted a murder suspect for want of evidence after 11 years. 

Muhammad Mansha, who belongs to Muridke city of Sheikhupura district in Punjab, was initially awarded death penalty by a trial court in a murder case. When approached, the Lahore High Court (LHC) converted his capital punishment into life imprisonment.

Later, the suspect went to the top court challenging the LHC verdict and seeking his acquittal in the case.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who headed the three-judge bench of the apex court, lamented that it is a problem that witnesses don’t tell the truth in criminal cases. Unfortunately, subordinate courts take witnesses at their words, he added.

Everyone will be hold to account on the doomsday, he said and asked do all murders take place in front of victims’ father or brothers and should courts accept their testimonies.

Justice Khosa said two brothers were eyewitnesses in the case at hand but they didn’t tell the truth.