PESHAWAR: A local court has convicted a person of taking away and sexually molesting a young girl for two months and sentenced him to life imprisonment with fine of Rs250,000.

The court of additional district and sessions judge Ali Gohar pronounced that the prosecution had proved its case against the accused, Iftikhar Khan, and the evidence on record connected him with the commission of the offence.

The court, however, acquitted two women accused stated to be wife and sister of the convict, giving them benefit of doubt.

During pendency of the trial the victim and her mother were also killed and for that offence brothers of the convict were charged.

An assistant public prosecutor, Ms Meena Qaiser, stated that the accused was charged in the FIR registered at Khazana police station on Nov 5, 2013, under section 376 (rape), 337 J (using intoxicant) and 496 A (enticing away a woman on criminal intention). He argued that the victim had herself deposed against the accused and her medical examination also corroborated the prosecution’s version of the case.

She stated that the accused had enticed away the victim with the help of his wife and sister by telling her that she should join them for a picnic. She added that later intoxicant was used on the victim. She added that the accused continued to sexually abuse the victim for two months following which he let her go.

The court convicted the accused on all three counts. The accused was awarded life imprisonment under section 376, and five years imprisonment each under section 337 J and 496 A. All the sentences have to run concurrently.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2017