KARACHI: ATC reserves judgment in Suparco bus killing case
KARACHI, Oct 21: An anti-terrorism court in Karachi on Saturday reserved judgment in a trial against two activists of the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi in Suparco bus killing case after hearing closing arguments of special prosecutor and defence counsel.
Shahnawaz alias Shani and Mohammad Shaukat, with absconding co-accused Asif Choto, are charged with attacking a Suparco bus with automatic weapons, carrying employees for Friday prayers at Hub River Road on Oct 3, 2003.
Six people were killed while seven people were injured in this attack. Defendants, however, the denied prosecution charges and pleaded not guilty.
Special Public Prosecutor Ghulam Qadir Rajput pleaded death punishment for the accused. They submitted that the prosecution had proved its case against the accused.
The prosecution placed 26 witnesses, including six eyewitness, to prove the guilt of the accused.
Defence counsel M.R Syed and Amir Mansoob Qureshi took plea that prosecution case was highly doubtful and benefit of doubt should be given to their clients.
They submitted there were glaring contradictions in the testimony of the prosecution witnesses and prayed the court to release the defendants.
ATC Judge Feroz Mehmood Bhatti after hearing closing arguments of counsel reserved the order for Oct 31.
Meanwhile, ATC headed by Judge Haq Nawaz Baloch, adjourned hearing of trial against two activists of Al Qaeda, arrested for their alleged involvement in masterminding car bombing to kill US diplomat in Karachi, after deposition of prosecution witness.Osman Ghani and Anwarul Haq have been charged with preparing plot for car bombing near US consulate in Karachi on March 2 in which four persons, including US diplomat David Foy, and three Pakistanis were killed and 48 others injured.
According to the prosecution, alleged suicide attacker, who was later identified as Mohammad Tahir, had rammed a car packed with explosives into a vehicle carrying an US diplomat as soon as it left the consulate gate.
Sub-Inspector Mohammad Bashir, a Mashir of the case in whose presence documents were recovered from the house of alleged suicide bomber, was examined by the court. After examination of witness the court fixed Oct 28 for the next hearing.
Arshad Pupoo: Alleged gangster Arshad Pupoo was sent to jail by the judicial magistrate Karachi South on Saturday.
The magistrate directed the investigation officer to submit charge-sheet against him in five cases of attempt to murder, police encounter, illegal weapon and explosive substance charges on Oct 25.
Arshad Pappu, stated to be a key contender in ongoing Lyari gang war, was arrested by the CID police with his accomplice on Oct 11 following a raid and encounter at his house at Nia Abad area, Lyari.
The police also recovered two kalashnikov, a hand-grenade and two-loaded magazines from their possession.
Police said Arshad is wanted in more than 60 cases of murder, attempt of murder, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, police encounter and incident of firing. The government had also placed a head money of Rs. 3 million over him.
Arshad was produced before the judicial magistrate South Ms Aliya Anwar amid tight security. The JM, sending him to jail, directed investigation officer to submit charge-sheet of cases against him on the next date of hearing.
acquitted: The Control of Narcotics Substance Court in Karachi has acquitted a former excise and taxation inspector and his two employees in a drug case giving them benefit of doubt.
Ashraf Shaheen, Mohammad Siddiq and Saleem were arrested by the ANF after recovery of 1 kilogram heroin powder from the house of Ashraf situated in PECHS on Aug 2, 2001.—PPI
