KARACHI, April 2: An elderly man was sentenced to death after a marathon trial on Monday by a sessions court in a murder case.

Bahawal Khan, aged over 70 years, was found guilty of killing his neighbour Wazir Dost within the remit of the Saeedabad police station over a petty issue in April 1999.

Additional District and Sessions Judge (west) Syed Ikram-ur-Rehman pronounced the verdict after hearing final arguments from both sides.

The accused was on bail and appeared to be in poor health as he moved towards the courtroom with the support of a walking stick.

Although the septuagenarian stood calm and composed when the judge read out the verdict against him, he broke into tears shortly after leaving the courtroom.

The court in its verdict ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its case against the accused beyond a shadow of a doubt by placing ample evidence in court.

It added that the testimonies of eyewitness remained consistent on material points and the documentary evidence also supported their version.

According to the prosecution, the accused exchanged hot words with the mother of his neighbour as she dumped garbage near his house and after a while the victim neighbour along with his brothers approached the house of the accused, who after a brief scuffle shot him dead with a licensed rifle. The police managed to apprehend the accused the following day, but he got bail a couple of years after the incident.

A case (FIR 95/1999) was registered under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code on a complaint of the victim’s brother at the Saeedabad police station.

The convict was taken into custody after the pronouncement of the verdict and sent to prison. The court ruled that the sentence was subjected to the confirmation of the high court.

Talking to reporters following the conviction, the convict was of view that the deceased along with his brothers and other relatives broke into his house and he opened fire in self-defence.

Robbers jailed for three years

A district and sessions court sentenced three men to as many years in prison in a robbery case.

Moshin, Mohammad Noman and Qari Altaf were held accountable for committing the offence within the remit of the New Karachi Industrial Area police station in January 2011.

District and Session Judge (central) Sofia Latif also imposed a fine of Rs20,000 each and in case of non-payment they would have to undergo an additional six months in prison.

A case (FIR 13/11) was registered under Sections 397 (robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.