Law: Pakistan Penal Code, 1860

Section: 302(b), 324, 395, 412, 365, 353, 186, 121, 122, 148, 149, 337-A(i), 337-D, 337-F(i), 337-F(iii), 337-L(ii), 544-A

Law: Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997

Section: 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), 6

Law: Explosive Substances Act, 1908

Section: 3, 4, 5, 5-A

Law: Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898

Section: 161, 382-B, 544-A

Summary  The Lahore High Court (Multan Bench) reviewed appeals and jail petitions arising from a 2016 attack on police in Rajanpur that resulted in multiple deaths, injuries and hostage-taking. The High Court partly upheld convictions and death sentences for primary accused Ghulam Rasool (Chhoto), Muhammad Khalid (Khalidi) and Ishaq based on reliable eyewitness, medical and circumstantial evidence; it affirmed their capital sentences and dismissed their petitions. Several other accused (including juveniles Qasim and Samad) had portions of their convictions set aside or downgraded: some were acquitted of murder-related charges but convicted for related offences (reduced sentences, conversion of certain ATA counts, concurrent terms, and benefit of section 382-B Cr.P.C.), while a group of accused had death and other penalties maintained. Delay in filing certain jail petitions was condoned given the death-sentence context. Core points  Background: FIR registered 13.04.2016 after coordinated armed attack and grenade/ gunfire at a police raiding party in Chak Dhanwani, Kacha area; multiple police martyred, several injured and 24 taken hostage until rescued by Army/police. Trial outcome (Trial Court, 12.03.2019): numerous accused convicted on multiple counts including murder (section 302), terrorism (ATA), explosives offences and other offences; several death sentences, long R.I. terms, fines, and forfeiture orders. High Court (12.09.2024) proceedings: some accused acquitted (Ghulam Haider, Hakim, Razzaq, Majid, Nasir Juma alias Bhutta, Rasheed, etc.); appeals of major accused partly allowed or dismissed as detailed below. Death sentences and convictions upheld for principal accused Ghulam Rasool (Chhoto), Muhammad Khalid (Khalidi) and Ishaq based on consistent injured-police eyewitness testimony, corroborating medical and forensic evidence, and recoveries of weapons/crime empties. For a set of accused who joined after the first episode (abduction/hostage episode), the Court found insufficient evidence linking them to the common object of the murderous first episode; murder charges and related counts were set aside for many of them. Juvenile convicts Qasim…