CHINIOT: In a rare conviction in a rape case, Additional District and Sessions Judge Saad Salman has handed down total 17-year imprisonment and Rs125,000 fine to an accused on Monday.

According to the prosecution, ‘S’, a married woman of Mohallah Lahori gate, was alone at her house on March 8, 2022, as her husband had gone for grocery shopping, when accused Sarfraz, of the same area, barged in, slapped the woman and raped her.

Meanwhile, husband of ‘S’ returned home, and on seeing him, the accused fled away brandishing a pistol.

On the complaint of the woman’s husband, city police registered the case under sections 376 and 452 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and arrested Sarfraz.

The case had been assigned to special “Gender Based Violence Court” headed by Additional sessions Judge Saad Salman.

After hearing the case, the judge sentenced the accused to seven-year imprisonment and slapped Rs100,000 fine (for being charged under section 452 of PPC) and 10-year rigorous imprisonment, along with Rs25,000 fine (under section 376 of the PPC).

The convict will have to under go an additional imprisonment for six months in case of defaulting on the payment of fine, the order said.

In most of the rape cases, the culprits escape conviction because the complainant part usually prefers reconciliation due to family pressure or withdraw the charges.

However, ‘S’ and her husband stood firm against all odds and after about 10 months, the case was decided against the convict.

ARRESTED: A man who was on the run allegedly after killing his ex-wife some two months ago, was arrested by Bhowana police from Pakpattan on Monday.

According to the police, Talib Hussain, a resident of Pakpattan area, was married to Shaista Manzoor, of Haveli Bata village of Bhowana Tehsil, a few years ago.

However, she got divorce from Talib after developing differences with him some months ago and later remarried.

On the night of Nov 21, 2022, the suspect shot his ex-wife dead with a pistol and fled away.

Bhowana police registered the FIR against the fleeing suspect under sections 302, 324 and 34 of the PPC and started investigations. He was later declared proclaimed offender of A-category and remained in hiding for two months.

The police said the suspect had allegedly killed his wife to avenge divorce and for contracting second marriage.

PRICE CONTROL: The district administration claimed to have conducted raids on 15,676 shops in January, slapped a total fine of Rs1,652,000 on 1,440 shopkeepers found involved in overcharging the customers.

Deputy Commissioner Faisal Abbas Mangat told a press conference that 30 shopkeepers found involved in overcharging were jailed after registration of FIRs against them.

He said that price magistrates also sealed six shops during the price-control drive.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2023