RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Sessions Court has acquitted all accused persons in the murder case of Forest Guard Luqman, bringing to an end a closely watched criminal trial from Tehsil Kotli Sattian.
Additional Sessions Judge Afshan Ejaz Soofi announced the verdict after completing the trial and examining the evidence, witness testimonies and arguments presented by both sides.
The accused, identified as Tahmeena, Haseeb, Samia and Ishtiaq Hussain, were facing charges under Sections 302, 365, 109 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code in FIR No. 101/22.
The court ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and ordered the acquittal of all accused persons.
During the trial, Absar-ul-Haq Satti, Advocate Supreme Court, represented accused Samia and Ishtiaq Hussain. He challenged the prosecution’s evidence, highlighted inconsistencies in witness statements and argued that the allegations were not supported by reliable and legally admissible evidence.
He maintained that the prosecution had failed to establish any direct connection between his clients and the alleged offences. Legal circles viewed his defence strategy as instrumental in exposing weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and reinforcing the principle that criminal convictions must be based on evidence meeting the threshold of proof beyond reasonable doubt.
The court ultimately concurred that the prosecution had not discharged this burden, leading to the acquittal of all accused.
The remaining accused, Tahmeena and Haseeb, were represented by Malik Imran Feroz, Advocate Supreme Court, who also advanced detailed legal arguments in support of his clients.
During the proceedings, the complainant recorded a statement before the court expressing his intention not to pursue the case against Tahmeena, stating that she was responsible for the care and upbringing of the deceased’s only daughter.
With the announcement of the verdict, the case, which had remained under litigation since 2022, has reached its conclusion at the trial court level. The decision marks a notable legal victory for the defence team led by Absar-ul-Haq Satti, Advocate Supreme Court, and brings closure to one of Kotli Sattian’s prominent criminal cases.
