PESHAWAR, May 10: The Peshawar High Court here on Friday granted bail to four persons accused of running a brothel and forcing a young woman into prostitution.

A single bench, comprising Justice Qazi Ahsanullah, allowed bail to the four accused — Mirza Muhammad, his son Taj Muhammad, and two customers Said Ahmad and Habibullah — on condition of furnishing two sureties of Rs50,000 each.

The accused, along with a woman Maida Gul, were arrested after an FIR was registered at Gulbahar police station on March 27, 2002, by brother of Ms Sheema.

The complainant claimed that eight months back his sister was married to Taj Muhammad, resident of Mohallah Islamabad, Gulbahar.

He claimed that when he went to see his sister he came to know that her husband and in-laws had been running a brothel and had forced his sister into prostitution. He alleged that even three customers were present at their residence at the time of his visit.

On his complaint, the police raided the residence and arrested the five accused. The female accused, Maida Gul, was allowed bail by the court of additional district and sessions judge, whereas the four male accused were not granted bail by the lower court.

The accused were charged under section 5/14/18 of the Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979. Counsel of the male-accused contended that they were falsely implicated in the case and there was no evidence available on record against them.

He argued that merely on the basis of allegations the accused could not be denied their right to bail.