LHC upholds death sentences in 2020 motorway gang rape case

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has upheld the death penalties awarded to two men convicted in the 2020 Lahore-Sialkot Motorway gang rape case, finding that the prosecution proved its case through eyewitness, medical and forensic material beyond reasonable doubt.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi and Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa had, through a short order issued on June 3, 2026, dismissed separate criminal appeals filed by Abid Ali alias Malhi and Shafqat Ali alias Bagga. On Tuesday, the court released its detailed judgment, which also confirmed the death sentences through the mandatory capital sentence reference.

The bench at the same time turned down the Punjab government’s plea to increase the convicts’ life imprisonment under Section 365-A of the Pakistan Penal Code to death punishment. The judges held that the trial court had exercised its discretion properly in sentencing on that count and that no extraordinary grounds existed for enhancement.

Case background and trial court verdict

The case arose from an incident in September 2020 that drew nationwide attention. According to the prosecution, the victim, a Pakistani-origin French woman, was travelling with her children in the early hours of September 9, 2020, when her vehicle ran out of fuel on the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway. While stranded there, two armed men allegedly broke a car window, took the woman and her children into nearby bushes, raped her and stole cash, jewellery, ATM cards and other valuables before escaping.

Gujjarpura police registered the first information report after the incident. The investigation involved the Crime Investigation Agency, the Punjab Forensic Science Agency and other law enforcement bodies. Police later arrested the accused and obtained DNA, forensic and other scientific material that, according to the prosecution, linked them to the offence.

On March 20, 2021, an anti-terrorism court convicted both men under several provisions of the PPC and the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. In addition to awarding death under Section 376(ii) of the PPC for gang rape, the trial court handed down life imprisonment under Section 365-A, 14 years rigorous imprisonment for robbery, five years in prison for mischief causing damage, and ordered payment of compensation, or daman, to the victim. Their properties were also ordered to be confiscated by the state.

High Court findings

Before the high court, defence counsel argued that the prosecution case contained contradictions and relied on evidence they described as unreliable. They sought acquittal on the ground that the prosecution had not established guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution, however, maintained that the victim’s account remained consistent and was supported by independent material, including medical examinations, DNA results, forensic reports, recoveries and surrounding circumstantial evidence gathered during the investigation.

After reviewing the record, the bench held that the victim’s testimony was reliable and inspired confidence, and that it was materially supported by medical and scientific evidence. The judges said the discrepancies highlighted by the defence were minor, natural in character and did not undermine the central prosecution narrative. The court further ruled that the trial court had assessed the evidence correctly and that no illegality, misreading or failure to consider evidence had been shown that would justify interference in appeal.

The judgment stated that the convicts had shown complete disregard for human dignity, bodily autonomy and the sanctity of womanhood.

“Such conduct constitutes an aggravated form of sexual violence and falls amongst those offences which shock the judicial conscience,” it added.

The bench also said the effects of such crimes extend beyond the individual victim, creating fear among women and their families and weakening public confidence in safety on motorways, roads and highways.

“In these circumstances, any undue leniency would amount to misplaced sympathy, diminish the deterrent effect of the law, and undermine public confidence in the administration of justice,” said the judgement.

Concluding that the appellants did not merit any reduction in sentence, the bench dismissed both criminal appeals, maintained all convictions and punishments awarded by the trial court, confirmed the death sentences and rejected the state’s appeal for harsher punishment under Section 365-A.