KARACHI, March 12: An anti-terrorism court reserved, on Friday, the judgment in a donation case against three workers of the banned Khuddamul Islam.
Judge Haq Nawaz Baloch of the ATC-V fixed March 16 for pronouncement of the judgment after hearing final arguments from the prosecution and the defence attorneys.
According to prosecution, accused Iftikhar, 27, Mohammed Ashraf, 40, and Syed Ameen Raza, 44, were arrested on Nov 23, 2003 by the Mehmoodabad police while collecting chanda (donations) near Masjid-i-Aqsa.
It was alleged that the police seized Rs2,700 on the spot and later recovered Rs1,272,980 from the office of the banned outfit in Jamshed Quarters on the lead given by the accused, Mohammed Ashraf.
Special public prosecutor Mazhar Qayyum produced six prosecution witnesses, including a taxi driver, who had witnessed the seizure of money at the office of the banned organization.
The taxi driver, Mohammad Hanif, stated that he was waiting for passengers in Jamshed Quarters when a police party asked him to act as a witness to the recovery of money. He said that accused Mohammed Ashraf was also with the police party and he led them to a room in the office of the Khuddamul Islam.
The prosecution witness deposed that there were a steel box and a suitcase in the room and the police seized the money from the suitcase. He said a shopping bag, containing some money, was also seized from the room.
He said Inspector Khalil counted the money in his presence. He said the police also seized 110 receipt books from the office of the Khuddamul Islam.
The special public prosecutor prayed the court to award maximum punishment to the accused as the prosecution had "successfully" proved its case beyond any reasonable shadow of doubt.
Defence counsel Shamsher Ahmed contended that the police implicated his clients, who were innocent and had nothing to do with chanda (donation) collection. He prayed the court to acquit the accused as the case of prosecution was full of contradictions.
CAMP FIRING CASE: An anti-terrorism court put off the hearing of police camp firing case till Saturday on the request of the special public prosecutor.
The judge had earlier fixed Friday for hearing the final arguments from the prosecution and the defence. However, prosecutor Naimat Ali Randhawa requested the court to adjourn the matter for another day as he was not prepared to advance his arguments.
The accused was charged with the killing of two police officials at a police picket next to the US consulate. He is being represented by Raza Ali Abidi.
In all, the prosecution have examined 21 prosecution witnesses.
