KARACHI, Nov 21 A complainant turned hostile before an anti-terrorism court on Friday during the hearing of a kidnap for ransom case of a schoolboy.

Shahzad, Danish, Shoaib and Arif are facing a trial for kidnapping five-year-old Javed while he was on his way to school in Baldia Town on March 27, 2008.

Ghulam Hussain, the complainant and father of the victim, appeared before Justice Annand Ram Hotwani of the ATC-III to testify. However, he refused to depose against the accused, claiming that he did not lodge any case against them.

The special public prosecutor, Mobashir Mirza, told the court that Ghulam Hussain had informed the police about the incident and lodged a case against the accused, adding that he also identified the accused before the police. The prosecutor then submitted some supporting documents, saying that the complainant was damaging the prosecution's case by deviating from his previous stance since one of the accused was his nephew.

On the request of prosecution, the court declared the complainant hostile and adjourned the hearing till Nov 27.

Investigations were under way when the boy was pushed off Clifton Bridge allegedly by Shahzad, one of the kidnappers who appeared to be a cousin of Javed, to avoid being identified, according to the prosecution.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...