Key Takeaways
- The Lahore High Court (LHC) confirmed the death sentences of two convicts in a 2020 gang-rape case.
- The court dismissed separate criminal appeals filed by the convicts, upholding the trial court's verdict.
- The prosecution’s evidence, including medical and forensic reports, was deemed sufficient to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
In a significant legal development, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has confirmed death sentences for two convicts in the 2020 Lahore-Sialkot Motorway gang-rape case. The court dismissed separate criminal appeals filed by Abid Ali alias Malhi and Shafqat Ali alias Bagga on June 3, 2026, upholding the trial court's verdict.
The case gained national attention following a horrific incident where a Pakistani-origin French woman was gang-raped while stranded on the motorway with her children. The victim’s vehicle ran out of fuel during the early hours of September 9, 2020, leading to the attack by two armed men who robbed her and fled the scene.
Following an extensive investigation involving the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA), Punjab Forensic Science Agency, and other law enforcement agencies, both accused were convicted on March 20, 2021. They were sentenced to death for gang rape under Section 376(ii) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), life imprisonment under Section 365-A PPC for kidnapping for ransom, 14 years rigorous imprisonment for robbery, and five years’ imprisonment for mischief causing damage.
During the appeals process, defence counsel argued that the prosecution’s case suffered from contradictions and was based on unreliable evidence. They sought acquittal, contending that the victim's testimony was inconsistent and lacked substantial corroboration. However, the court dismissed these arguments, observing that the victim’s statement was trustworthy and received significant support from scientific and medical evidence.
The Lahore High Court bench, comprising Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi and Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa, held that the prosecution had successfully proved the appellants' guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The court noted minor discrepancies in the evidence but ruled they did not affect the core prosecution case. Additionally, the bench rejected a Punjab government appeal seeking to enhance life imprisonment sentences awarded under Section 365-A PPC.
The court’s detailed written judgment was issued on Tuesday, confirming the mandatory capital sentence reference while rejecting any enhancements sought by the government. This decision marks a crucial milestone in the legal proceedings of this high-profile case and sets a precedent for similar cases involving severe crimes against women.
