ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday acquitted a disabled man sentenced to 10-year imprisonment by lower courts in a narcotics case involving the recovery of 200 kilograms of hashish (charas) in Khuzdar.
A three-member bench — comprising Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim — heard the appeal of Raza Khan. The counsel for the accused argued that the police had claimed that the accused was driving the truck from which the narcotics were recovered.
The counsel said since his client had only one leg, it was implausible that he could have been driving the vehicle.
At this, in a light-hearted remark, Justice Hashim Kakar commented that even a one-legged animal cannot be offered as a sacrifice,” prompting laughter in the courtroom.
The defense counsel further pointed out that the allegedly recovered narcotics had been sent to the forensic laboratory only after a delay of four months and 18 days.
Expressing strong displeasure at the delay, Justice Kakar asked as to what was the hashish doing in the police storeroom for four months. Was it engaged in worship, he further questioned.
During the proceedings, the state prosecutor requested that action be taken against the investigating officer for conducting a defective investigation.
Justice Kakar responded, “A judge and a lawyer are two people who often do not listen to anyone. One should listen more than speak, the judge told the prosecutor.
The prosecutor then said, “I apologize. Perhaps Your Lordship is getting upset?” To this, Justice Kakar replied, “I do not get upset anyway, and I certainly do not get upset with women.”
