Report: FT Correspondent:
Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi Sessions Court has acquitted all accused persons in the high-profile murder case of Forest Guard Luqman, bringing the trial of one of Tehsil Kotli Sattian’s closely watched criminal cases to an end at the trial court level.
Additional Sessions Judge Afshan Ejaz Soofi announced the verdict after examining the evidence, witness testimonies and arguments presented by both sides.
The accused — Tahmeena, Haseeb, Samia and Ishtiaq Hussain — were facing charges under Sections 302, 365, 109 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code in FIR No. 101/22.
The court ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the allegations against the accused beyond reasonable doubt and subsequently ordered their acquittal.
Samia and Ishtiaq Hussain were represented by Supreme Court Advocate Absar-ul-Haq Satti, who challenged the prosecution’s evidence and highlighted inconsistencies in witness statements. He argued that the prosecution had failed to establish a direct connection between his clients and the alleged offences.
Tahmeena and Haseeb were represented by Supreme Court Advocate Malik Imran Feroz, who also presented detailed legal arguments in defence of his clients.
During the proceedings, the complainant recorded a statement before the court expressing his intention not to pursue the case against Tahmeena, stating that she was responsible for the care and upbringing of the deceased’s only daughter.
With the announcement of the verdict, the case, which had remained under litigation since 2022, has concluded at the trial court level. The court’s decision resulted in the acquittal of all four accused persons.
