The Lahore High Court has overturned the conviction of a man in a rape case, citing major loopholes in the prosecution, including delayed reporting, contradictions in statements, and lack of forensic corroboration.
Justice Abher Gul Khan, while giving the benefit of doubt, acquitted the accused Amanullah, who handed life imprisonment by a Gujrat trial court. The court noted that the alleged incident took place on October 4, 2016, but the FIR was filed ten days later without any explanation.
The complainant also made contradictory statements, first alleging that the accused threatened to release a video but later denying having made such a claim.
The medical examination was conducted 11 days after the incident and showed no signs of violence. Forensic tests by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency also found no semen and ruled out sexual intercourse.
In addition, a CD produced during the trial contained no video, while photographs submitted as evidence did not show the face of the accused. Even the victim’s alleged torn clothes were never presented.
Earlier, an Additional Sessions Judge in Gujrat had convicted the accused on the basis of an FIR, registered at Jalalpur Jattan city police station under Section 376-I PPC, awarding life imprisonment, a Rs50,000 fine, and Rs300,000 compensation.
Citing Supreme Court precedents the LHC held that convictions cannot stand without “unimpeachable evidence” and that even a single reasonable doubt must benefit the accused.
Concluding that the prosecution failed to prove the crime, the court set aside the conviction and acquitted Amanullah. Since the appellant was already on bail, his surety was discharged.
