KARACHI, Dec 30: A robber fled from the premises of the city courts following the issuance of his conviction order on Thursday.

Kashif alias Topi was sentenced to three years in prison for robbing Mohammad Afzal and his sister within the remit of the Jamshed Quarters police station in October 2009.

Assistant additional district and sessions judge Sarwat Sultana, who conducted the trial, also imposed a fine of Rs10,000 and ordered that in case of default the convict would have to undergo an additional one-month imprisonment.

As soon as the judge read out the conviction order, the accused managed to escape from the court premises in the presence of the investigation officer, Sub-Inspector Mohammad Yaqoob.

While issuing an arrest warrant, the court directed the investigation officer to arrest the convict. The judge also issued a notice to surety.

At a previous hearing, the accused was released on bail in the robbery case.

According to the prosecution, the accused along with his absconding accomplices intercepted Mohammad Afzal and his sister on Oct 5, 2009 at gunpoint and deprived them of cash, mobile phones and other valuables. A police patrol party managed to arrest the accused and seized the stolen articles found in his possession.

A case (FIR No 555/2009) was registered under Sections 392 (punishment for robbery) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code at the Jamshed Quarters police station.