Follow Us on Google News
LAHORE: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Wednesday sentenced four suspects to death on nine counts each in Johar Town blast case in Lahore.
ATC Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta announced the verdict which was reserved earlier on completion of arguments by parties. The court handed death sentences to four accused Peter Paul, Eid Gul Khan, Zia Ullah and Sajjad while an accused woman, Ayesha Gul, was awarded a five-year jail term and a fine was imposed.
The judge convicted the accused after the charges were proved and announced the verdict at Kot Lakhpat Jail. The court conducted the trial at the jail due to security reasons and reserved its verdict on completion of arguments by the parties a day earlier.
The court has recorded statements of 56 prosecution witnesses during the proceedings whereas forensic evidence and CCTV footage were also made part of the record.
In June 2021, a powerful blast in Lahore’s Johar Town had killed three people and left 24 others injured. Six-year-old Abdul Haq, his father Abdul Malik, and a passer-by died in the explosion.
National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had claimed India was behind the Johar Town blast.
Moeed Yusuf had said the Lahore blast was sponsored by India and the person was linked to India’s premier intelligence agency RAW. He said the mastermind of the Johar Town blast belongs to RAW and India was involved in terrorist acts against the country.