LAHORE: April 18 – Additional Sessions Judge Waris Javed on Friday acquitted Sharjeel Haroon, previously accused under Section 295-B of the Pakistan Penal Code, declaring the prosecution’s evidence as unreliable and unconvincing.
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered with Shad Bagh police station on May 21, 2023, based on a complaint alleging that Haroon had committed crime under section 295 B . The accusation stemmed from 15 phone calls made by an individual named Faizan, who claimed to have witnessed the incident.
However, during the trial proceedings, the caller never appeared before the court nor recorded his testimony. Advocate Sarmad Ali, Haroon’s defense counsel, argued that the entire occurrence was rendered doubtful due to the absence of the complainant’s testimony. He added that the alleged incident was fabricated and lacked credibility.
In July 2024, the trial court had already declared Haroon to be a juvenile at the time of the alleged offence. His acquittal now reinforces the application of the Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018, which aims to protect minors from undue criminal prosecution.
Advocate Sarmad Alifurther emphasized that numerous children in Punjab and across Pakistan continue to face serious penal charges despite statutory protections. “It is imperative that the judiciary ensures the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act in both letter and spirit,” he said.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of juveniles entangled in criminal litigation and the urgent need for reform to uphold their legal safeguards.