The Lahore High Court has acquitted a man suspected of his involvement in a case revolving around the alleged rape of a school teacher, overturning his prior 14-year sentence imposed by a subordinate court.
The ruling, issued by Justice Amjad Rafiq and contained within an eight-page written decision, has raised questions about the administration of justice and the protection of victims in such sensitive cases.
The court acquitted the suspect over the benefit of the doubt.
The case dates back to an incident in Shorkot where the suspect was initially sentenced to 14 years in prison by a subordinate court in 2016. However, the Lahore High Court's recent decision to acquit him is based on a series of factors casting doubt on the prosecution's case.
One of the key factors cited in the verdict is the delayed registration of the first information report (FIR), which was lodged five days after the alleged incident took place. Additionally, the court noted that the victim did not disclose the incident to anyone for three days and did not immediately report it to the police, which raises concerns about the credibility of the allegations and creates doubts about the case.
Furthermore, the court highlighted that no sample was found on the victim's body, as indicated by the lady doctor's testimony. Moreover, contradictions were identified in the statements provided by witnesses.
In light of these considerations, the Lahore High Court concluded that the prosecution had failed to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, thus leading to the acquittal of the accused. This decision has reignited discussions surrounding the challenges faced by victims of sexual assault in seeking justice and the need for comprehensive reforms within the legal system to address such issues.
