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KARACHI, Sept 8: The special court for control of narcotic substance on Monday awarded four-year imprisonment to a woman drug-peddler for possessing 37-kilo charas in a case registered against her more than 11 years ago.
Judge Imdad Hussain Khoso of the special CNS court-I pronounced the verdict after recording final arguments from both sides. The court also imposed a fine of Rs10,000. In case of non-payment, the accused would have to undergo an additional three-month imprisonment.
The judge observed that the prosecution had successfully proved the involvement of the accused, Tehmina, in the case by producing ample witnesses and evidences in court.
According to the prosecution, the excise police had arrested Tehmina on June 3, 1997, in Baldia Town and seized 37-kilo Charas (hashish) from her possession. However, she was released on bail a month after her arrest.
Five years after her arrest, the accused was indicted in 2002. She pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the case. The prosecution produced two witnesses, a complainant and a police constable before the court.
In the final arguments, public prosecutor Mohammad Arif Sitai said the prosecution had successfully proved the case against the accused by producing solid witnesses and documentary evidences, which had confirmed that 37-kilo Charas (hashish) was recovered from her custody. He asked for award of capital punishment to the accused.
The defence counsel told the court that his client was implicated in the case as prosecution did not provide adequate evidence to prove the allegations levelled against her and requested the court to acquit her.
A case (FIR No 18/1997) was registered against the accused under Section 6/9-C of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997, on the complaint of inspector Abid Jaffary of the excise police.
Justifying the delayed disposal of the case, the court sources said that the case was initially tried in a regular court because it was instituted before the establishment of control of narcotic substance courts.
Three indicted
An anti-terrorism court indicted two men and a woman on charges of kidnapping and killing a relative in October 2007.
The accused, Shahzad, Shahdab and Babar, pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the case.
Judge Abdul Ghafoor Memon of ATC-II, who is conducting the trial, summoned the prosecution witnesses to record their statements on Sept 13.
According to the prosecution, the accused had kidnapped Mohsin, an uncle of Shahdab, on October 23, 2007 in the Super Market police station limits. They allegedly collected Rs1 million as ransom from the victim’s family. Instead of releasing him they killed the captive.
The body was later found and the accused were arrested on Feb 2, 2008. A case was registered under Sections 365-A and 302/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code at the Super Market police station.
Kidnap for ransom
The same court, meanwhile, accepted an application filed by the accused in a kidnap case, seeking a counsel from the state citing that he could not hire a lawyer.
The court directed authorities concerned to arrange a lawyer for him and adjourned the hearing till Sept 12. According to the prosecution, Mohammad Ikramullah allegedly kidnapped Mahnaz, wife of Umer Naveed, on April 29 in the Gizri police limits and sought Rs2 million. He released the woman after collecting the ransom.
A case was registered under Section 356-A of the Pakistan Penal Code read with Section 7 of the Anti-terrorism Act at Gizri police station on the complaint of the victim’s husband. Police arrested the suspect on June 10.
The court would indict the accused on the next hearing.
