MULTAN, Nov 2: A patwari, who was convicted on fraud charges in four cases in 1982 was at last able to get relief from the Lahore High Court’s Multan bench.

Abdul Majeed of Mian Channu, now an old man and retired since long, was charged by the Anti-Corruption Establishment of preparing fake documents in 1969. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by a special anti-corruption court in 1982.

“The fraud was detected in 1967, cases were registered in 1969 against the patwari and two others and he was convicted after 13 years in 1982. His appeal came up for hearing today (Thursday) before this court after 19 years,” LHC observed.

“Appellant, now of the age of 72, has already suffered the agony of prolonged trial and appeal proceedings over a period of 34 years,” it added.

Though the court dismissed his appeal as far as the question of his conviction was concerned, but set aside the sentence awarded by the trial court and substituted it by a fine of Rs1,000 on him.

Appellant Majeed was directed to pay the fine within one month or in default to undergo imprisonment of a month.—APP