KARACHI: A sessions court has sentenced a man to 14 years in prison in a case pertaining to sexually assaulting a minor boy within the jurisdiction of the Sukhan police station.

The additional district and sessions judge (Malir) found Sher Ali guilty for committing rape with a six-year-old boy in a room at his place in Cattle Colony in 2023.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs1 million on the convict and he would serve an additional imprisonment if he defaulted on the payment.

“It is without any qualm that offences of sexual violence against minors are among the gravest crimes, as they threaten the very fabric of society and undermine the safety of children. Such acts not only harm the victim but also create fear and insecurity within the community,” the judge wrote in the verdict.

The court noted that the survivor had nominated and identified him before the court as the person who took him to a room and committed the unlawful act inside the room, adding that the statement of the minor boy “remained straightforward, natural and confidence-inspiring. Nothing material could be elicited in his cross-examination so as to create doubt about the occurrence itself”.

According to the prosecution, the accused, who resided in the neighbourhood, took the child to his room in August 2023 and committed the offence. Subsequently, the boy informed his father, who reached the spot and immediately reported the incident to police.

The police registered a case against the suspect, apprehended him from his residence, and seized evidence, including clothing. After the survivor’s medical examination, it was revealed through a medical report that the accused had sexually assaulted him.

During the trial, the accused claimed innocence and argued that he was falsely implicated in the case; however, the court rejected his pleas and noted that the argument of false implication was devoid of substance as no enmity, ulterior motive, or reason has been shown why the complainant would falsely implicate him in such heinous matter.

“False implication in an offence of this nature is not a matter to be readily presumed, particularly where the accusation is supported by medical and forensic evidence. The accused has failed to create any dent in the prosecution case or to generate any reasonable doubt in his favour,” the court observed.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2026