Supreme Court Acquits Man in 2010 Child Abuse Case, Citing Lack of Credible Evidence
Islamabad – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquitted a man who had been convicted in a high-profile child abuse case dating back to 2010, citing a lack of credible evidence. The apex court ordered that the accused be released immediately if he is not required in any other case.
The judgment, spanning 10 pages and authored by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, was delivered by a three-member bench led by Justice Hashim Kakar.
The court observed that the testimony of the alleged victim was unreliable, noting that no assessment of her mental maturity was conducted at the time of recording. Under Pakistan’s Qanun-e-Shahadat (Law of Evidence), a child’s statement is considered valid only if the court is satisfied with the child’s level of understanding.
The judgment pointed to several inconsistencies in the victim’s statements, including unclear details regarding the date and time of the alleged incident. Medical testimony was also contradictory, as the doctor initially confirmed signs of assault but later denied it during cross-examination.
The Supreme Court further noted that the complainant (the victim’s mother) and her maternal uncle were not eyewitnesses, labeling their accounts as hearsay. The ruling also referenced a family property and domestic dispute, suggesting it could have been a possible motive for false allegations.
The case originated in 2010 when the accused’s daughter, then around six or seven years old, accused him of sexual assault. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs35,000 by the trial court, and the Lahore High Court upheld the verdict in 2013.
After appealing to the Supreme Court, the convict was acquitted due to insufficient and inconsistent evidence.
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