20000411

Gang-rapists appeal

LHC converts

life-term into

death sentence

MULTAN: The Lahore High Court Multan Bench on Monday converted life imprisonment of two gang-rapists of Muzaffargarh into death sentence.

The Multan Bench enhanced the sentence, in an appeal filed against the verdict, pronounced by the Anti-Terrorist Court D G Khan.

Four accused, including Akhtar, Mumtaz, Manzoor and Hafeez of Rohellan Wali, District Muzaffargarh, had gang-raped Mst Naseem.

The Anti-Terrorist Court DG Khan had earlier sentenced the three culprits to life imprisonment, while the fourth one, i.e., Hafeez, was declared a proclaimed offender.

The accused had filed an appeal against their conviction and for mitigation of the sentence of life imprisonment awarded by the trial court, i.e. ATC.

The High Court, during the hearing of the appeal, noticed the point, enhanced the sentence of the two accused, including Akhtar and Mumtaz. However, it acquitted Manzoor for lack of adequate evidence against him.ÑAPP