LAHORE: The two convicts in the motorway gang rape case have filed appeals in the Lahore High Court challenging their death penalties and other sentences handed down by the trial court.

An anti-terrorism court on March 20 handed down a death sentence to Abid Ali, alias Malhi, and Shafqat Ali, alias Bagga, besides life imprisonment and multiple jail terms.

The appeals filed through advocate Muhammad Qasim Arain mainly argue that the trial court announced the impugned verdict against the facts and law applicable to the facts of the instant case.

The appellants/convicts were not nominated in the FIR and the description mentioned in the FIR was altogether different from the physical features and age of the appellants.

The appeals contend that it is an established principle of law that an accused is entitled to every little doubt and in this case, so many infirmities have been found that create doubts in the prosecution story. It has been argued that the judgment by the trial court is harsh and against the settled principles of law.

The appellants ask the court to allow the appeals, set aside their conviction, and acquit them of the charges.

Gujjarpura police had lodged the FIR on Sept 9, 2020, under sections 365-A, 392, 376 (ii), 427. 201,34, 337-L2, 337-F1 of the PPC and section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2021