ISLAMABAD, April 17: The Supreme Court’s Shariat Appellate Bench on Thursday acquitted three accused of rape giving them the benefit of the doubt, as the FIR was lodged after eight days of the incident and the medical examination on the victim was done after nine days.

Earlier, the three accused, including one woman, were awarded 10 years in prison plus a fine of Rs50,000 each by the Federal Shariat Court.

The two male accused, Nazar Hussain and Mohammad Yousaf, were in jail for the last four years, but Shameem, wife of one of the accused, was released.

The bench after hearing the counsel for the appellants acquitted the accused and ordered their immediate release.