LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday acquitted a Christiancouple, who were facing the death sentences for more than seven years in ablasphemy case.
Police had arrested Shafqat Emmanuel, the watchman of a school in Gojra,and his wife Shagufta Masih, in 2013 on the charges of blasphemy underSection 295-C [use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the HolyProphet (Peace Be Upon Him)] of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
Complainants named Malik Mohammad Hussain and Gojra tehsil bar’s formerpresident Anwar Mansoor Goraya had accused the couple of sending themblasphemous text messages.
In April 2014, a session court in Toba Tek Singh awarded death sentence andimposed a fine of Rs100,000 on them for committing blasphemy.
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Later, the couple challenged the verdict in the LHC, denying the charges.
After hearing arguments from both sides, a two-member bench of the highcourt declared the sessions court’s ruling null and void and ordered theirrelease from the jail.
