KARACHI: 2 brothers sentenced to death for kidnapping
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, June 23: Judge Arshad Noor Khan of anti-terrorism court, on Wednesday, sentenced two brothers to death for kidnapping a man for ransom.
The court also ordered confiscation of the accused's property, worth Rs100,000 each.
Mohammed Shahid and Mohammed Zahid were found guilty of having kidnapped Mohammed Amir Haroon, manager in a private concern, for ransom on March 22 within the Site police precincts. The two brothers, both in their early twenties, along with two absconding accomplices kidnapped the victim when he was going to his office in his car.
The kidnappers demanded two million rupees from Amir's father, Mohammed Haroon, for his release and called him at a desolate place in Defence. Subsequently, Mohammed Haroon reached the place along with his driver, Javed, and handed over Rs980,000 cheque to the kidnappers.
The two absconding accused made Mohammed Haroon and Javed hostage while the two brothers took the cheque to Shanghai Bank in Haroon's car which was equipped with a tracking device. However, the bank refused to draw the money stating that the signature did not match with that of the account holder.
In the meantime, the CPLC and police officials with the help of tracking company reached the parking area of Shaheen Complex, where the accused were caught red-handed. The special public prosecutor examined in all 11 prosecution witnesses, including the victim and his father.
SECTARIAN CASES: An eye-witness identified two workers of the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi in a sectarian murder case before an anti-terrorism court. Judge Haq Nawaz Baloch of the ATC-V put off the hearing of the case after recording the statement of Tanveer Ahmed, who was also a complainant in the case.
The LJ activists - Ataullah and Mohammed Azam - are being prosecuted for killing Dr Raza Peerani on June 26, last year in Soldier Bazaar. Two motorcyclists opened fire on the doctor as he got into his car after leaving Shamsher Clinic.
Tanveer Ahmed told the court that he was a dispenser at the clinic. On June 26, he said that he came out of the clinic to see off the doctor. The prosecution witness, who was also cross-examined by defence counsel M.R. Syed, deposed that a motorcycle stopped beside the car as Dr Peerani got into it.
Identifying the two accused with their specific role in the murder, he said Mohammed Azam was riding the bike. He further said that the pillion rider, Attaullah, first fired a bullet in the air and then pumped two bullets into the victim.
The PW submitted that he had earlier identified the two accused during an identification parade before the judicial magistrate.The same court recorded the statement of an eye-witness in another sectarian murder case against the two workers of the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi.
The case pertained to the killing of Syed Athar Hussain Rizvi on May 3, 2001 within the limits of the Korangi Industrial Area. He was the prayer leader of Asgharia Imambargah in Bhittai Colony.
Sarfraz Ahmed, brother of the victim and complainant in the case, submitted that the two accused came at their house around 10:05pm. He said that they called out his brother and opened fire as the victim opened the door.
Identifying Mohammed Azam as the one who opened fire, he said that he went into a shock after hearing the shots and could not see the other accused. He said the two attackers had come to their house on foot and they ran away immediately after the shooting.
