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Supreme Court Acquits Suspect in 2008 POF Bombing Case
Supreme Court acquits Hameedullah in the 2008 POF bombing case, citing insufficient evidence and contradictions in the prosecution's case.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-25
Supreme Court Acquits Suspect in 2008 POF Bombing Case

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquitted Hameedullah, a suspect in the August 2008 bomb blast outside the Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF), Wah Cantt, which claimed the lives of 69 people. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to the dismissal of his conviction and death sentence.

A three-judge Supreme Court bench, led by Justice Athar Minallah, heard Hameedullah’s appeal against the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court’s decision to uphold his conviction. The verdict, issued last week, emphasized the contradictions in witness testimonies and the lack of forensic evidence linking the suspect to the crime.

Key Contradictions in the Prosecution’s Case

Hameedullah was apprehended by military personnel at the scene and accused of being involved in the bombing. Witnesses claimed he was wearing an explosive jacket and carrying grenades, but their testimonies were inconsistent.

The prosecution’s case relied primarily on the statements of Subedar Major Ghulam Rasool and Subedar Muhammad Rafique, who allegedly captured Hameedullah. However, their accounts differed—one claimed the suspect attempted to detonate his jacket, while the other stated he did not. Additionally, neither witness had expertise in handling explosives, raising concerns about how they supposedly removed the jacket safely before the police arrived.

The court noted that the prosecution failed to provide concrete proof that Hameedullah’s jacket and grenades contained explosives. The recovered items were sent to the District Civil Defence, Rawalpindi, instead of a forensic laboratory. The verdict pointed out that there was no record proving that the District Civil Defence was a recognized expert body capable of conducting such analyses.

No Evidence of Terrorist Links

The judgment also highlighted that the prosecution did not present any evidence showing that Hameedullah was a member of a banned outfit or that he was motivated by terrorist intentions. Justice Minallah stressed that even a single reasonable doubt was enough to warrant an acquittal, and in this case, the evidence was riddled with uncertainties.

“It does not appeal to a prudent mind that the appellant and the complainant, who were just 30 paces away from the suicide bomber, would remain unscathed,” the judgment observed, emphasizing the improbability of the prosecution’s narrative.

Verdict and Implications

Given the inconsistencies in witness statements, lack of forensic analysis, and failure to prove Hameedullah’s involvement with a terrorist organization, the Supreme Court overturned his conviction. The ruling underscores the importance of due process and credible evidence in criminal trials, particularly in high-profile terrorism cases.

While the decision has sparked debate, legal experts argue that it highlights the need for thorough investigations and adherence to legal standards before securing convictions. The acquittal also raises questions about past cases where convictions may have been handed down based on weak evidence.
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