The Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted a murder accused after finding contradictions in the eyewitness account, lack of corroborating evidence and other circumstances creating reasonable doubt in the prosecution case.
Supreme Court Decision in Maqsood Alam Case
The Supreme Court of Pakistan decided the case of Maqsood Alam and another versus The State and others on 12 October 2023. The case arose from a murder prosecution involving the deaths of Muhammad Munir and Muhammad Anwaar in District Khushab.
Maqsood Alam had originally been convicted under Section 302(b) of the Pakistan Penal Code and sentenced to death on two counts. The Lahore High Court subsequently converted the death sentence into imprisonment for life while maintaining the conviction. The matter was then considered by the Supreme
- The Supreme Court decided the case on 12 October 2023.
- The case was Maqsood Alam and another v. The State and others.
- The case is reported as 2024 SCMR 156.
- The original case concerned a double-murder prosecution.
- The Lahore High Court had converted the death sentence into life imprisonment.
Contradictions in the Prosecution Evidence
The Supreme Court examined the eyewitness accounts and other evidence presented by the prosecution. The Court noted contradictions between the testimony of witnesses and the medical evidence concerning the occurrence.
The Court also considered the fact that a co-accused with a similar alleged role had been acquitted and that the prosecution had not provided sufficient explanation for important omissions and inconsistencies in the evidence.
- The Court examined the credibility of the eyewitness testimony.
- The witness account contained inconsistencies.
- Parts of the ocular account were inconsistent with medical evidence.
- The alleged motive was not sufficiently established.
- The prosecution evidence lacked adequate corroboration.
Benefit of Doubt in Criminal Trials
The Supreme Court reiterated that a conviction in a criminal case must be based on reliable and unimpeachable evidence. Where the prosecution evidence creates reasonable doubt, that doubt must be resolved in favour of the accused.
After examining the complete record, the Supreme Court converted the petition into an appeal, allowed it and set aside the impugned judgment. Maqsood Alam was acquitted of the charges and ordered to be released unless required in another case.
- Criminal convictions must be supported by reliable evidence.
- Material contradictions can affect the reliability of prosecution evidence.
- Reasonable doubt must be resolved in favour of the accused.
- The Supreme Court set aside the impugned judgment.
- Maqsood Alam was acquitted and ordered to be released unless required in another case.
This article is general information about how things work in Pakistan, not legal advice. Procedure varies by province, forum and the facts of your matter.
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