KARACHI, Dec 19: An accused who was arrested on the charge of keeping two drums of explosives at his residence five years back was acquitted by court on Wednesday.

After hearing the final arguments from the defence counsel and public prosecutor, Additional District and Sessions Judge, West, Mrs Akhtar Chaudhry acquitted Mohammad Ismail, who was picked up by the police on Sept 16, 2002 for allegedly keeping explosive substance at his residence.

According to the verdict, the prosecution failed to produce any solid evidence against the accused in court and the substance recovered from his possession was not explosive.

The prosecutor said a suspect allegedly involved in a conspiracy to assassinate President Musharraf in Airport police limits on April 24, 2002 had disclosed that he had kept two drums of hydrogen oxide each weighing 20 litres with Mohammad Ismail, son of Mohammad Hussain, at his residence in Orangi Town. As police reached the spot and inquired Mohammad Ismail about the drums, he led the raiding party to a room where two drums were placed. Police arrested the accused and seized the drums. He alleged that Ismail belonged to a banned a militant group.

Later, a case (FIR No 260/02) was registered at Orangi Town police station under Section 4/5 of Explosive Act.

Defence counsel Maqbool-ur-Rehman told court that his client was a teacher and was falsely implicated in the case. The substance recovered from his possession could not be used as explosives, he added.

Pleading for the case’s disposal, he said that the prosecution had failed to establish prima facie against the accused as the alleged substance was easily available in market. Prior to his arrest, he said, the accused was teaching in a government school. He had been barred to join duty till the disposal of the case, the advocate said, adding that the delay of the case was causing irreparable loss and mental torture to the accused.

On a court’s order, sub-inspector Rashid of bomb disposal squad appeared before the judge. He said the material seized by the police could not be used as explosive substance unless a few things were added to it.