Supreme Court of Pakistan
Abdul Manan @ Imran v. The State & another
Published on this website · Updated
Criminal Petition No. 1718 of 2022 (against Lahore High Court Criminal Appeal No. 8321 of 2020)
Citation: Approved for reporting; reported citation not yet assigned
Case summary
The judgment in brief
The Supreme Court maintained life imprisonment under Section 336-B PPC, ordered Rs1 million compensation, and urged stronger acid control and survivor rehabilitation.
Question of law
The legal question
Whether the ocular, medical, and forensic evidence proved the petitioner's guilt for an acid attack beyond reasonable doubt; whether his asserted youth or juvenility justified reducing life imprisonment to the fourteen-year minimum under Section 336-B PPC; and what compensation and survivor-centred measures followed.
Holding
What the Court decided
The evidence of the survivor and house witnesses was fully supported by medical findings, forensic confirmation of sulfuric acid, and acid burns on the petitioner's fingers. On these facts, youth did not outweigh premeditation, permanent disfigurement, exceptional cruelty, absence of remorse, and victim-blaming. Life imprisonment was proportionate. Section 544-A Cr.P.C. required compensation unless reasons for denial were recorded.
Result
Outcome and directions
Leave to appeal was refused and the petition was dismissed. The conviction under Section 336-B PPC and life imprisonment were maintained. The petitioner was directed to pay Rs. 1,000,000 as compensation under Section 544-A Cr.P.C., recoverable as arrears of land revenue in default. The Court also issued institutional recommendations on trial timelines, acid-sale regulation, disability recognition, and a national rehabilitation fund.
Practical effect
What the decision means in practice
Leave to appeal was refused and the petition was dismissed. The conviction under Section 336-B PPC and life imprisonment were maintained. The petitioner was directed to pay Rs. 1,000,000 as compensation under Section 544-A Cr.P.C., recoverable as arrears of land revenue in default. The Court also issued institutional recommendations on trial timelines, acid-sale regulation, disability recognition, and a national rehabilitation fund.
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Independent analysis
Read Shahbaz Shah's legal commentary
The Supreme Court maintained life imprisonment under Section 336-B PPC, ordered Rs1 million compensation, and urged stronger acid control and survivor rehabilitation.
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