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Mai to seek review of top court verdict freeing her tormentors

ISLAMABAD - Mukhtaran Mai will file a review petition in the Supreme Court against Thursday’s verdict by a division bench of the court freeing all by one of the six people charged with her gang rape.

By Afzal Khan

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Published: Sun 24 Apr 2011, 11:55 PM

Last updated: Mon 29 Jun 2020, 4:08 PM

Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, Mukhtaran Mai’s counsel told reporters that he was preparing the review petition. “There are some holes in the court verdict which could be agitated in the review petition,” he said adding that the division bench ignored certain important aspects of the case.
The court verdict has evoked strong reaction within Pakistan and abroad by human right groups and women rightsorganisations. Critics saying the police tampered with Mai’s complaint that led the Lahore High Court to overturn sessions court judgment sentencing six people to death. The Supreme Court took suo motu notice but on Thursday its division bench upheld the LHC ruling and freed all but one suspects.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday talked to Mukhtaran Mai on telephone and assured her that steps have been taken to strengthen her security.
Mukhtaran fears that the freed men would avenge their arrest.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court’s verdict acquitting the men who had raped Mukhtaran Mai nine years ago and said the decision would add to difficulties the rape victims were already facing in bringing their tormentors to justice.
“It is utterly disappointing that insufficient police investigation and delay in registering a case with police have been made the basis for acquittal of the accused,” the HRCP said in a statement on Friday.
The commission also expressed concern over courts’ lack of capacity and sensitivity to properly appraise evidence in rape cases.
mafzalkhan@yahoo.com

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