ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the death sentences awarded to members of the notorious `Chotu` gang, rejecting a set of appeals.

The gang, which operated in the riverine area of Rajanpur, was infamous for kidnapping for ransom, extortion, dacoities and murder.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar and also comprising Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, heard the appeals filed by gang leader Ghulam Rasool alias Chotu, as well as Ishaq and Khalid alias Khalidi, against the Lahore High Court`s confirmation of their death sentences onSept12,2024.

Earlier, an anti-terrorism court in Multan had awarded capital punishmentto the convicts on six counts of murder.

The appellants were convicted of killing six police officials, injuring seven and taking 24 police personnel hostage for eight days during an operation launched on April 13, 2016.

The SC also converted the life sentences of two juveniles into 14 years` imprisonment, while acquitting nine other accused namely Deen Muhammad, Akram, Behram, Bashir, Mujibur Rehman, Husnain Bux, Piyara and Nadir of murder charges. However, the court maintained their sentences, ranging up to 14 years, on other counts, including under the Explosive Substances Act.

Additional Prosecutor General for Punjab Rai Akhtar Hussain represented the prosecution, while Advocate Sardar Usman Khosa appeared for the petitioners.

During the hearing, Justice Ibrahim observed that the court could not equate cases of personal enmity with the atrocities committed by the Chotu gang.

Justice Panhwar remarked that the gang was considered the `king` of the area where it operated, adding that police stations used to be shut due tofearofsuchgroups.

APG Hussain argued that the police personnel were kidnapped after they ran out of ammunition, following which Pakistan Army had to be called in torescue the 24hostages.

In its earlier judgement,authored by Justice Sadagat Ali Khan, the LHC had noted that gangs such as the Sikhan gang, Indhar gang, Changwani gang and Chotu gang, along with several hardened proclaimed offenders armed with sophisticated weapons, posed a significant challenge to local authorities and law enforcement.

These groups targeted civil-ians, creating fear among the local population and consolidating their influence.

Recalling the April 13, 2016 operation, the LHC noted that it was launched to eliminate bandits, dismantle their safe havens and restore peace. During the operation, six police officials were martyred and several others were taken hostage.Justice Sadagat Ali had observed that anti-state activities were on the rise, with criminals taking the law into their own hands and undermining the fabric of society, and therefore must be dealt with firmly. He also emphasised that courts should remain dynamic and pragmatic in drawing rational inferences, while overlookingminor discrepancies or investigative shortcomings.

The LHC verdict had concluded that the convicted appellants, as members of the infamous Chotu gang, had committed brutal murders of six police officials and caused firearm injuries to others performing their official duties during the operation against criminals.