KARACHI, April 20: The defence concluded its side before an anti-terrorism court in Karachi on Wednesday, conducting trial against two men in a kidnapping for ransom case, after a statement on oath by the accused. Azizullah and Dawood, with other absconding co-accused, had allegedly kidnapped their own sister, wife of complainant Mohammed Ashraf and his brothers for ransom on May 19, 2004. Prosecution charged that the accused demanded Rs2 million for the release of abductees.

Recording statement under Section 340 CrPC, Azizullah denied charges and submitted that the complainant implicated him in a false case due to family disputes. He was cross-examined by Special Public Prosecutor Naimat Ali Randhawa.

ATC, headed by Judge Arshad Noor Khan, fixed April 23 for hearing closing arguments. The Anti-Violent Crime Cell arrested the accused from Shershah after a shootout. An alleged kidnapper Rahimullah was killed during firing.—PPI