Better to err in acquittal than in conviction: Supreme Court

The court had taken up an appeal filed by Muhammad Iqbal, challenging the June 18, 2025 decision of the Sindh High Court (SHC), which had upheld his sentence. In his eight-page judgement, Justice Ibrahim observed that reasonable doubt in the mind of a prudent person was sufficient to entitle an accused to the benefit of doubt as a matter of right and not grace. “This manifestation also finds mention in the principle of benefit of doubt, which is invariably extended in favour of the accused to ensure the safe and just administration of criminal justice,” it added. Muhammad Iqbal was convicted under Section 302(b) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) by the Additional Sessions Judge-II, Karachi West, on Jan 26, 2024, for the murder of Jameel Khan. The incident allegedly occurred on April 29, 2006. Iqbal was sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment along with compensation of Rs500,000 payable to the legal heirs of the deceased. The conviction was upheld by the SHC on June 18, 2025. Iqbal had remained at large for around 14 years before his arrest on Oct 27, 2021. Justice Ibrahim observed that the findings recorded by the SHC did not appear to be legally sustainable. The SHC had held that the petitioner’s conduct in remaining at large for 14 years after the murder, before being arrested on Oct 27, 2021, reflected, in the absence of any explanation, a guilt