ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday ordered releasing a suspected drug supplier over ‘benefit of doubt’, ARY News reported.
In a ruling given by a three-member SC bench comprising Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, it said the suspect was released under ‘safe custody and safe transmission’ rule. There may be a few suspects in cases that may benefit from this rule, but it would fix the law in the long run, the CJP said.
The suspect named Humayun Khan was arrested in 2010 from Capital for concealing 18.7 kilograms of charas in his bag at the Islamabad airport.
The apex court recalled that the trial court in 2010 sentenced the man for life, while his punishment was also later upheld by the high court. The report by a laboratory was also found positive, leading to confirmation of crime by the suspect.
But during further investigation afterwards, safe custody of the drugs couldn’t be proved, the SC said, adding neither the muharrar (clerk) turned up nor his statement was recorded.
“Who submitted samples in the forensic labortary is also not known,” the top court said.
Hence, the Supreme Court ordered release of the life-term serving suspect over benefit of doubt. Khan was serving his life term handed down to him by a trial court.
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