AMEERUDDIN vs State Ss — 2025 PLD 383 SUPREME-COURT

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AMEERUDDIN VS State Ss. 302(b) & 302(c)---Qatl-i-amd---Re-appraisal of evidence---Ocular account---Visual distance---Limitations of human eye---Benefit of doubt---Accused was convicted under section 302 (b), P.P.C. for qatl-i-amd and sentenced to imprisonment for life on four counts---Validity---In cases involving witness testimony, prosecution must establish credibility and reliability of its witnesses---Distance from which witnesses claimed to have observed the incident with graphic details was critical in assessing truthfulness and ability of their accounts---General rule is that at a distance of 500 meters (half a kilometer), even individuals with excellent visual acuity would struggle to discern specific details of an event, particularly when incident involves rapid moments, or if it occurs in an area that is not well lit or has obstructions that could hinder vision---Eyesight of a man, even under optimal conditions, is not designed for sustained observations of minute details at such a distance---Claim of witnesses was not only a tall claim but also one that was too far-fetched to be accepted by a prudent mind---No independent corroboration to ocular account furnished by three eye-witnesses was produced by the prosecution---Burden of proof laid with prosecution and it was required to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt---There was reasonable doubt regarding credibility of witnesses, primarily due to physical impossibility of observing incident from the stated distance, given the acknowledged limitations of human vision---There was insufficient evidence to support claims of prosecution regarding witnesses' ability to observe the incident from a distance of half a kilometer---Supreme Court extended benefit of doubt to accused, set aside conviction and sentence awarded to him and acquitted him from all charges ---Appeal was allowed.

AMEERUDDIN vs State Ss — 2025 PLD 383 SUPREME-COURT

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