[Sindh]
Before Zafar Ahmed Rajput and Amjad Ali Bohio, JJ
FAIYAZ KHAN and another---Appellants
Versus
The STATE---Respondent
Special Criminal Anti-Terrorism Jail Appeal No. 81 of 2023, decided on 24th November, 2023.
Penal Code (XLV of 1860)---
----Ss. 324 & 353---Sindh Arms Act (V of 2013), S. 23(1)(a)---Anti-Terrorism Act (XXVII of 1997), S.7 (h)---Attempt to Qatl-i-amd, police encounter, act of terrorism---Appreciation of evidence---Recovery of weapons---Chain of custody---Proof---Accused persons were convicted for commission of attempt to Qatl-i-amd, police encounter, recovery of firearms and act of terrorism and were variously sentenced with maximum imprisonment for ten years--- Validity--- Alleged encounter lasted for few minutes but no one from police party received any injury to his body---Even no bullet hit official vehicle of police, at the hands of accused persons who had pistols and had dared to open straight fire on police party and suddenly they stopped firing after two shots each, though they had more live bullets in their alleged recovered pistols---No blood marks were found at the occurrence, which fact alone cast doubt on the authenticity of alleged encounter---No police official was listed among prosecution witnesses who took the case property to Forensic Science Laboratory---Such discrepancy raised significant concerns in delivery of parcels intact to Forensic Science Laboratory---No prosecution witness disclosed name of the police official through whom case property was sent to Forensic Science Laboratory---Prosecution failed to establish safe departure and delivery of parcels to Forensic Expert, in circumstances---Such omission had raised doubts about integrity of chain of custody---High Court set aside conviction and sentence awarded by Trial Court and accused was acquitted of the charge---Appeal was allowed, in circumstances.
Kamal Din alias Kamala v. The State 2018 SCMR 577 and Shamoon alias Shamma v. The State 1995 SCMR 1377 rel.
Abdul Nabi and Iftikhar Ahmed Shah for Appellants.
Saleem Akhter Buriro, Addl. Prosecutor General, Sindh for Respondent.
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