ISLAMABAD: A 17-year-old kidnapping case has been concluded with two people, including a former Pakistan Army major, being sentenced to life imprisonment.
The legal battle that lasted for over 1.5 decades has now been concluded and now an anti-terrorism court has sentenced retired Major Nawazish Akbar and another person Naveed Khan to life imprisonment for the kidnapping of Sher Bahadur, the owner of a construction company.
The former soldiers, along with their associates, had collected a ransom of over Rs 1.5 crore, including Rs 7 million in cash. The court also imposed further sentences, including 3 years for wrongful confinement, 7 years for snatching the victim’s vehicle and an additional life sentence under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The court also ordered the confiscation of the accused’s property.
It all started with Bahadur’s brother reporting the kidnapping after a delay of a year as the kidnapping was related to a financial dispute with retired Major Nawazish, who was said to be a former business partner in Bahadur’s firm.
Bahadur testified that he was assaulted, forced to sign contracts, and pressured to transfer assets. He also revealed that Nawazish and his associates illegally took control of his company, selling assets worth over Rs 2 crore.
Justice delayed is justice denied but the much-awaited verdict brings a long wait for justice to the victim.
