PESHAWAR, June 23: An anti-terrorism court here on Thursday acquitted a suspect in the devastating blast near the Meena Bazaar, which had left over 110 persons killed and about 200 injured in 2009.

The court presided over by Anwer Ali Khan observed that the prosecution could not prove its case against the accused, Mursaleen Khan, and there was no evidence on record which could connect him with the offence.

The incident took place on Oct 28, 2009, near Meena Bazaar, a famous market for women shoppers, and the explosion had ripped through several buildings and shops. Following the blast, a large number of people had gone missing and they had been presumed dead. The FIR of the case was registered at the concerned C-Division police station.

The local police had arrested the accused, Mursaleen son of Mahabat Khan, a resident of Charsadda district, on Jan 26, 2010. The police had alleged that he was the mastermind of the blast and in past he was involved in such activities at the behest of a neighbouring country.

Advocate Shakeel Khan Gillana appeared for the accused and contended that the prosecution failed to produce even a single evidence against the accused. He added that no recovery had been made from him nor he had recorded any confessional statement.

Mr Gillani contended that merely on the basis of suspicion a person could not be convicted. He added that the prosecution story was devoid of facts and merely based on allegations which had no connection with reality.