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KARACHI, Dec 19: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday dismissed the appeal of a man against his conviction in a kidnapping-for-ransom case but commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment.
Syed Nayer Raza Zaidi was sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court in Karachi on June 8, 2004 having found him guilty of kidnapping for ransom charges.
According to the prosecution, the appellant along with absconding co-accused kidnapped Asif Raza on November 20, 2003 in the Gulistan-i-Jauhar area and demanded Rs2.5 million in ransom for his release.
Police arrested the appellant on November 26, 2003 and on his tip-off raided the house in Amar Yasir Society, where the victim was made hostage.
The victim was recovered after shootout with the culprits and a kidnapper, Amir Raza alias Chand, was also killed in the encounter with police. Two absconding co-accused, Aun Raza and Shariq Zaidi, however, escaped.
The appeal against the conviction was heard by the SHC's division bench comprising Justice Rehmat Hussain Jaffery and Justice Munib Ahmed Khan.
The court after hearing the arguments of the state and appellant counsels and perusal of evidence of the case, for reason to be recorded later, dismissed the appeal but converted the death sentence into life imprisonment.
MURDER CASE: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday dismissed the appeal of man in a murder case but converted his death sentence into life imprisonment.
Umer was sentenced to death by the additional district and session judge of Thatta on April 22 for murdering Achar in the limits of the Jhiruk police station on April 18, 2000.
His appeal against the conviction was heard by the SHC's division bench comprising Justice Rehmat Hussain Jaffery and Justice Munib Ahmed Khan.
The court after hearing arguments and perusal of the evidence of the case, for reason to be recorded later, upholding the conviction and dismissed the appeal but commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment.
SUMMONED: The SHC on Tuesday summoned police officials of the Shah Latif PS for December 21 on the petition of a woman against harassment.
Salma Shehzadi submitted that she and her family were being harassed by Inspector Ali Hasan Sheikh, ASIs Aslam Chohan, Nasarullah, Zulfiqar and others policeman of the Shah Latif Town PS. The petitioner sought registration of a case against the respondents.
The SHC's division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah after preliminary hearing of the petition issued notice to the police personnel through the Capital City Police Officer who shall ensure the presence of the respondents before the court on December 21.—PPI
