Two muggers get 12-year jail term for robbing Careem driver, engaging cops in shootout

A sessions court has sentenced two muggers to a total of 12 years in prison in cases pertaining to robbery, attempted murder and encounter with police.

Zeeshan and Muhammad Atif were found guilty of looting the driver of an internet-based ride-hailing service Careem and engaging in an encounter with police within the remits of the Liaquatabad police station in March last year.

Additional Sessions Judge (Central) Ghulam Mustafa Laghari observed that the prosecution succeeded in establishing its cases against the accused beyond any shadow of doubt. He awarded seven-year imprisonment to both convicts for offences punishable under sections 392 (punishment for robbery) and 397 (robbery or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The judge handed down another five-year imprisonment to them for committing offences punishable under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 324 (attempted murder) of the PPC.

Both the accused were ordered to pay a Rs50,000 fine each or undergo additional four-month imprisonment on default. Additionally, Zeeshan was awarded five years’ imprisonment and a Rs25,000 fine for possession of an unlicensed weapon.

The judge said all sentences will run concurrently and extended the benefit of Section 382-B of the criminal procedure code to them, under which the period since their arrest would be counted towards their prison term.

According to state prosecutor Hina Naz Shams, accused Zeeshan and Atif robbed complainant Nadir Mehmood of his mobile phone and wallet containing Rs800 cash and documents in Nazimabad on March 15, 2023. Both were later arrested after an encounter with police.

During the trial, the complainant testified that he was waiting near Imtiaz Super Market for a ride when two men on a motorcycle turned up and snatched his mobile phone and a wallet containing his CNIC, driving licence and Rs800 cash at gunpoint. He said that as the accused left on their motorcycle, he chased them and rammed his car into their motorcycle, as a result of which they fell down.

The victim said that he captured one of the accused and a police mobile also came to the scene, adding that the other accused tried to flee the scene while firing shots at police and was later injured in retaliatory fire. An unlicensed pistol was recovered from possession of accused Zeeshan, who was arrested in injured condition.

In their statement recorded under Section 342 of CrPC, the accused denied prosecution allegations and claimed innocence.