Peshawar High Court rejects bail pleas of two accused in sexual assault case

Peshawar High Court has denied bail requests for two accused individuals, one of whom is a juvenile, in a sexual assault case involving the rape of a teenager in Swat district. The court ruled that the alleged crime is of a heinous nature and carries the death penalty under Section 497(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Despite the victim and her father reaching a compromise with one of the accused parties, the court dismissed the plea for bail, stating that the offense is non-compoundable and involves moral turpitude.

The prosecution's version is supported by the victim's statement, which aligns with her initial report, and the presence of the accused at the crime scene, as documented in the site plan prepared by the victim. The court emphasized that the mere statement of the victim is sufficient to connect the accused with the commission of the offense in cases of unnatural offenses, provided the statement inspires confidence.

The court also noted that the juvenile accused, who was around 17 years old, cannot be released on bail due to the nature of the alleged crime.