The Lahore High Court (LHC) has upheld the death sentences of two men convicted in the high-profile motorway rape case, dismissing their appeals and affirming the trial court’s decision.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Syed Shehbaz Ali Rizvi and Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa, issued a detailed written judgment stating that the prosecution had successfully proved the involvement of Abid Ali and Shafqat alias Baga through strong and credible evidence.
According to the court, the survivor’s testimony remained consistent and trustworthy throughout the proceedings. The bench observed that her statement was fully supported by medical examinations, forensic analysis, and DNA evidence presented during the trial.
The judgment highlighted that DNA testing directly connected Abid Ali to the crime. It further noted that forensic samples collected from the vehicle used during the incident also matched evidence linked to the accused. The court said these scientific findings significantly strengthened the prosecution’s case.
In addition to the forensic evidence, the court pointed out that the identification parade conducted during the investigation further confirmed the involvement of both convicts. The judges concluded that the combined weight of witness testimony, forensic material, and DNA reports left no reasonable doubt regarding their guilt.
The bench described the motorway rape case as an extremely serious offence that not only caused immense suffering to the survivor and her family but also created widespread fear and concern throughout society. Given the gravity of the crime, the court ruled that there was no legal basis to reduce the punishment awarded by the trial court.
As a result, the Lahore High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the convicts and maintained the death penalties previously imposed. The court also rejected the prosecution’s request for enhanced punishment, deciding to retain the life imprisonment sentences already awarded to the convicts for the additional offences included in the case.
The ruling reaffirms the trial court’s verdict and brings another significant legal development in one of Pakistan’s most widely discussed criminal cases.
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