APP
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has acquitted Raja Shahid, an accused who had been sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case, after accepting his criminal appeal. The court observed that authentic CCTV footage can serve as primary documentary evidence in criminal cases and, under certain circumstances, can even form the basis for a conviction in the absence of eyewitnesses.
However, it is essential to establish the authenticity of the video, the integrity of the original recording, and the continuity of the chain of custody of the evidence.
In his judgment, Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq of the Lahore High Court noted that there were significant contradictions between the CCTV footage, witness statements, and medical evidence in the case. Consequently, it was necessary to grant the accused the benefit of the doubt and acquit him. The court set aside the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the trial court on March 30, 2024, and also quashed the fine of 300,000 rupees imposed on the accused. According to the verdict, the faces of the accused were not clearly visible in the CCTV footage, therefore, identification based solely on a resemblance in physical build cannot be considered conclusive. The court stated that in such scenarios, reliable identification evidence is required.
Furthermore, if faces are not clear in a video, attempts can be made to enhance the footage using forensic techniques. The court observed that significant discrepancies emerged between the witnesses’ statements and the CCTV footage regarding the shooting and the subsequent escape of the accused. While the accused admitted to being present at the scene and kicking the victim, he denied the allegation that he had killed the victim by shooting him. The verdict further stated that medical evidence did not confirm that the victim had been shot again after falling to the ground.
Through the presented evidence and statements, the prosecution failed to prove the murder charge against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. The Lahore High Court clarified that an individual cannot be convicted of murder based solely on a resemblance in physical appearance or a partial admission. In criminal cases, even a reasonable doubt is sufficient to warrant the acquittal of an accused. According to the background of the case, the victim, Rana Muhammad Naeem Qaiser, was shot and killed on September 18, 2022.
Working hours changed for civil, sessions courts across Punjab: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has changed the working hours for all civil and sessions courts across Punjab. According to the notification issued by the Lahore High Court here on Saturday, the new working hours will remain in effect from November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
As per the notification, civil and sessions courts across Punjab will operate from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, while on Fridays, the court hours have been set from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.