MUHAMMAD AKRAM Versus THE STATE

ORDER

Muhammad Akram petitioner has been sentenced to imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs.2,000 under section 36‑A/34, P.P.C. and to R.I. for one year under section 343/34, P.P.C., with the direction that both the sentences shall run concurrently. He has moved this petition for suspension of the sentence.

2. Six persons, including the petitioner, were tried on the allegation that on 1 st October, 1983 they kidnapped Sabir Hussain, aged 6 years, from Gojra Town in order that he may be murdered or subjected to slavery or lust of any person and wrongly confined him for ten days or more.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the conviction of the petitioner is based on the evidence of Muhammad Iqbal and Bashir Masih who stated that they had seen the minor in a tonga with the petitioner, but they are belied by the minor who did not name the petitioner as the abductor. The learned State counsel has opposed the prayer for bail.

4. At the trial the minor, namely, Sabir, stated that he was taken away in a tongs by Hafiz Ullah (co‑convict) who later on took him to Faisalabad and then to Rawalpindi from where he brought him to Kasur and then left him at Gojra Bus Stand. He did not name the petitioner as his abductor although he stated that at Rawalpindi Hafiz Ullah was accompanied by Khalid and Akram. Khalid has since been acquitted. In the circumstances, I feel inclined to the view that a case for the suspension of sentence is made out. I, therefore, suspend the sentence of the petitioner subject to his furnishing security in the sum of 88.50,000 with two sureties in the like amount to the satisfaction of Assistant Commissioner, Gojra.

S.A. Sentence suspended.