KARACHI, Jan 10: An anti-terrorism court put off on Monday the hearing of a kidnapping for ransom case against seven accused after the prosecution examined the last prosecution witness.

Judge Arshad Noor Khan of the ATC-3 fixed Tuesday for recording the statements of the accused on oath after deposition by the investigation officer, Inspector Rana Ishrat of the Anti-violent Crime Cell.

Kalim Ullah Arshad Pervaiz, Mohammad Siddique, Bilal, Fateh Mohammad, Mohammed Hasan and Ali Ahmed have been charged with the kidnapping of a junk dealer's son on May 24 in Shah Faisal Colony.

According to prosecution, six occupants of a Toyota Corolla intercepted Kamran near Nauman Public School where he had gone to drop his younger sister on his motorbike. He was forced into the car at gunpoint and two accused took away his bike.

The accused allegedly demanded Rs2 million for the release of the 18-year-old victim from his father, Ikram Uddin, a junk dealer. However, later they agreed to accept Rs500,000 as ransom.

It was alleged that the victim was kept at the house of accused in Safoora Goth before he was released after the payment of agreed ransom at the Civil Hospital. The Shah Faisal police registered the case initially against unknown culprits on the complaint of the victim's father.

Later on Nov 3, the police arrested all seven accused in a ground near Saba Palace after being informed of the presence of some suspicious people there. The police also allegedly seized unlicensed weapons from them.

It was alleged that the accused disclosed their involvement in the kidnapping of Kamran during the interrogation. Special public prosecutor Naimat Ali Randhawa examined in all 16 prosecution witnesses, who included the victim and an eye-witness.

The victim identified all seven accused while recording his deposition, while PW Ashiq Hussain, a cigerrate cabin owner, identified six accused who allegedly kidnapped the victim.

Besides, a paternal uncle of the victim identified accused Kaleem Ullah, Arshad Pervaiz and Mohammad Hasan as the persons who had received ransom money from him at the Civil Hospital.