A judicial magistrate in Karachi has acquitted Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and five others in a liquor case, citing insufficient evidence to support the prosecution’s allegations.
Judicial Magistrate (South) Aasim Aslam announced the verdict on Tuesday after examining the case record and hearing arguments from both sides.
In its order, the court noted that the prosecution had alleged that bottles containing liquor were recovered from the possession of the accused. However, chemical examination reports contradicted the claim, stating that the bottles contained honey and olive oil.
The court observed that the forensic reports, which constituted significant pieces of evidence, failed to corroborate the prosecution’s version of events.
It emphasised that the prosecution was required to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and that the burden of proof could not be shifted to the accused.
The judge further stated that allegations made by police officials, without reliable and corroborative evidence, were insufficient to secure a conviction, particularly when scientific evidence contradicted the prosecution’s claims.
The court concluded that the prosecution had failed to establish the essential elements of the alleged offences beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case dates back to September 1, 2018, when the then assistant superintendent of Karachi Central Prison reportedly received information about alleged illegal activities in a private hospital room where Memon was staying due to illness.
The room had been declared a sub-jail because Memon was in judicial custody in connection with a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference.
According to the prosecution, prison police subsequently searched the room and recovered two bottles, one allegedly containing alcohol and the other apparently containing honey.
The then chief justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, had reportedly raided the room and found the bottles. A case was subsequently registered at Karachi’s Boat Basin police station under Section 4 of the Prevention (Enforcement of Hadd) Ordinance, 1979, read with Sections 201 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The provisions relate to possession of intoxicants, causing the disappearance of evidence or providing false information to shield an offender, and common intention, respectively.
The case was registered against Memon and his employees.
During the trial, defence counsel Uroosha Memon argued that her client had been falsely implicated as part of political victimisation. She maintained that the chemical examination reports identified the contents of the bottles as honey and olive oil.
The defence also questioned the investigation, arguing that police had failed to include any independent witnesses despite the alleged recovery taking place in a crowded area.
