KARACHI, Jan 5: An additional district and sessions judge rejected on Monday bail applications of two accused in a gang-rape case of Nasima Lubano in district Gotki in Jan 2007.

The judge, Nizar Ali Khawaja, pronounced the verdict after recording arguments from both sides. The prosecution said that Nasima Lubano, daughter of Hamzu, was subjected to sexual assault after being kidnapped from her native village in Ghotki on Jan 27, 2007 by around 11 accused.

Abdul Jabbar and Ali Hasan, through their counsel moved bail applications in the court.

Their counsel said that their clients were underage and requested the court to allow their bail pleas.

However, the public prosecutor, Abdul Maroof, opposed the bail and said that the medical reports have proved that the accused were not underage while they were also nominated in the FIR.

Faisal Siddiqui advocate, who is assisting the prosecution, also argued against the bail plea.

A case (FIR No 07/07) was registered under Section 10(4), Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979, Sections 354-A, 452, 147, 337-A(i) and 337-F(i) of the Pakistan Penal Code at the Ubaro police station on the complaint of the victim’s father.

The police arrested seven accused, including Loung Khan, Anwar Hussain, Ali Hussain, Shah Baig, Shah Zada, Bashir Ahmed and Abdul Jabbar, on March 3, 2007 while the remaining accused were declared absconders.

Initially, the case was tried in the court of the additional sessions judge-3 of Mirpur Mathelo. However, the Sindh High Court transferred the case to a sessions court in Karachi since the father of the victim moved an application to the court, maintaining that his daughter and family members were given life threats by the accused and it was very difficult for them to pursue the case in Mirpur Mathelo.

The court also issued show-cause notice to the SHO of the Ubaro police station for not submitting a report regarding the death of an accused.

The hearing was adjourned till Jan 17 for the indictment of the accused.