21 August 2004	Saturday	04 Rajab 1425

KARACHI, Aug 20: District and Sessions Judge, East, Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani on Thursday acquitted five accused in an alleged rape case registered by the Korangi Industrial Area police for want of evidence and delay in lodging the FIR.

According to prosecution, Haris Maseeh, Niamat, Nadeem, Azra and Parveen abducted a girl Shazia alias Shehzadi on July 1, 2002. Accused Nadeem raped her in the house of co-accused. He also took the victim to Faisalabad.

The Korangi Industrial Area police lodged an FIR and started a search. Later, the father of the victim produced her before the police. Qazi Bashir, appearing for the accused, pleaded that the FIR was lodged after a delay of 10 days.

Medical examination of the alleged rapist was also not conducted and also girl was not recovered from the accused but was brought to the police station by her father.

The counsel for accused submitted that it was a case of no evidence and prayed to the court to acquit the accused. The DJ East after arguments by the state counsel acquitted all the accused giving them benefit of doubt. -APP