LHC upholds death sentence in Sheikhupura rape-cum-murder case

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has upheld the death sentence handed to a man convicted of raping and killing a woman in Sheikhupura, dismissing his appeal against the conviction and punishment.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Farooq Haider and Justice Ali Zia Bajwa issued a detailed judgment, maintaining both the capital punishment and the fine imposed on convict Ahmed by a trial court in 2023.

According to the judgment, the criminal case was registered in 2021 by Factory Area Police Station in Sheikhupura. The prosecution said the accused sexually assaulted the woman near a canal and then tried to kill her by throwing her into the water.

The prosecution further stated that after the woman managed to come out of the canal alive, the accused allegedly poured petrol on her and set her on fire. She was later taken to hospital in critical condition.

Court findings

The court noted that while the victim was under treatment, her statement was recorded by a judicial magistrate. In that statement, she identified the accused and gave details of the incident.

The verdict said medical evidence produced during the trial supported the prosecution’s claim that the victim had been subjected to sexual assault. The court also referred to the recovery during the investigation of the accused’s motorcycle, a petrol bottle and other incriminating items.

After examining the victim’s statement, the medical evidence, the recovered items and witness testimonies, the bench concluded that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt.

In its detailed judgment, the court held that the evidence against the convict was dependable and persuasive, and found no basis for doubt about his guilt.