News
Friday, April 22, 2011
SC rejects Mukhatarn Mai’s appeal
* Three-judge bench upholds LHC ruling, orders release of those arrested
* Verdict leaves just one of initial 14 suspects in prisonBy Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal by gang rape victim Mukhtaran Mai against the acquittal of five men she accused of attacking her.
The apex court upheld the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) verdict in the Mukhtaran Mai gang rape case and acquitted all the accused except one Abdul Khaliq.
A three-judge SC bench, comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Nasirul Mulk and Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, announced the verdict, which was earlier reserved on January 27, 2010.
In its order, the court said, “In view of the majority decision, all the noted appeals are hereby dismissed. The suo motu action initiated by this court vide order dated March 14, 2005, in the matter is also discharged. Therefore, all those who were arrested pursuant to the order of this court on June 28, 2005, if not required in any other case be released forthwith. Abdul Khaliq, however, shall be released after serving his sentence as awarded to him by the high court.”
Mukhtaran Mai was assaulted after the council in her village in Punjab ordered she be raped as punishment for her 13-year-old brother’s suspected affair with a woman of a higher caste. Fourteen men were originally accused in the case. In 2005, an appeals court acquitted five out of the six remaining defendants, saying witness statements contradicted the prosecution case.
In March 2005, the Federal Shariat Court had suspended the LHC’s verdict in the Mai case on the grounds that the high court had no jurisdiction to hear appeals under Hudood laws. The controversy was settled after the Supreme Court had taken the matter into its own hands. The apex court had suspended the LHC order until a final decision. Mai had appealed to the Supreme Court in 2005 but it rejected her appeal on Thursday.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk