Murder case of six persons: LHC seeks assistance on reconciliation with accused

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday sought arguments from the Punjab prosecution department on a point whether a suspect charged under anti-terrorism law could be acquitted following reconciliation with complainant. The court adjourned to November 16 the appeal of the prosecution challenging acquittal of PML-N MNA Abid Raza in a murder case of six persons, including two police constables. Abid was elected from NA-207, Gujranwala, in 2013 elections.
An anti-terrorism court of Gujranwala had awarded Raza and others death sentence in 2001. Later, he was acquitted following reconciliation with the families of victims. The Supreme Court had taken a suo motu notice of the acquittal during an election matter pertaining to eligibility of Raza and revoked the acquittal of suspects. The apex court had referred the matter to the High Court with direction to decide the issue of acquittal afresh.
The prosecution in its appeal argued that offences under the Anti-Terrorism Act are non-compoundable and the suspect cannot secure his acquittal on the basis of reconciliation. The Supreme Court had also endorsed this view in a number of judgements, it pleaded.