FAISALABAD, June 28: Four condemned prisoners, who had gang-raped a Christian girl, would be hanged in the district jail here on Thursday (today). Bashir Masih of Chak 144-RB, Chak Jhumra Town, had lodged a complaint with the area police against the accused. He alleged that he was asleep in his house on Nov 7, 1999, when accused Umer Hayat (32) and Mubarik Ali (28) of Khurrianwala; Muhammad Ashraf (34) and Shahzad Ahmed (29) of Chak Jhumra took his daughter ‘S’ to a room and gang-raped her. After committing the crime, the accused escaped after collecting valuables, and threatening him with dire consequences.

The complainant claimed that the accused were his game-mate in pigeon flying and he had to keep silent to save the life of his daughter.

The case was decided in a speedy trial court — Anti-Terrorism Court — within a month. The ATC judge on Dec 18, 1999, had handed down capital punishment to all the four accused. The accused filed appeals before the Lahore High Court and the apex court, which were rejected.

BURNT: Articles worth over Rs1 million were reduced to ashes when a fire engulfed three shops in Bhawana Bazaar here on Tuesday night.

Reports said that the fire broke out in an electric shop due to short-circuiting, engulfing the two adjoining shops, including a restaurant. As a result, goods worth over Rs1 million were burnt. Receiving information, the fire tenders rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire after some hectic efforts.