05 May 2026 :
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on May 6, 2026 upheld the death sentences handed down to members of the notorious Chotu gang, dismissing a series of appeals against the Lahore High Court’s earlier confirmation of the punishment.
A three-judge bench led by Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, and comprising Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, heard the appeals filed by gang leader Ghulam Rasool alias Chotu, along with Ishaq and Khalid alias Khalidi. The appeals challenged the Lahore High Court’s Sept 12, 2024 decision that had upheld their death sentences.
Earlier, an anti-terrorism court in Multan had sentenced the convicts to death on six counts of murder.
The case relates to the killing of six police officials, injuries to seven others, and the abduction of 24 police personnel who were held hostage for eight days during an operation launched on April 13, 2016.
The Supreme Court also reduced the life imprisonment of two juvenile convicts to 14 years in prison. At the same time, it acquitted nine other accused — Deen Muhammad, Akram, Behram, Bashir, Mujibur Rehman, Husnain Bux, Piyara and Nadir — of murder charges. However, the court left intact their other punishments, which run up to 14 years, including sentences awarded under the Explosive Substances Act.
Additional Prosecutor General for Punjab Rai Akhtar Hussain appeared for the prosecution, while Advocate Sardar Usman Khosa represented 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, and said police stations used to be shut because of fear of such groups.
APG Hussain told the court that the police personnel were taken hostage after they ran out of ammunition, after which the Pakistan Army had to be called in to rescue the 24 hostages.
In its earlier judgement, authored by Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan, the Lahore High Court had said that gangs including the Sikhan gang, Indhar gang, Changwani gang and Chotu gang, along with several hardened proclaimed offenders armed with sophisticated weapons, had created a serious challenge for local authorities and law enforcement agencies.
The high court had noted that these groups targeted civilians, spread fear among residents and strengthened their hold in the area.
Recalling the April 13, 2016 operation, the judgement said the action had been launched to eliminate bandits, dismantle their hideouts and restore peace. During that operation, six police officials were martyred and several others were taken hostage.
Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan had also observed that anti-state activities were increasing, with criminals taking the law into their own hands and weakening the fabric of society, and said such elements must be dealt with firmly. He further emphasised that courts should remain dynamic and pragmatic in drawing rational inferences while overlooking minor discrepancies or shortcomings in investigation.
The Lahore High Court had concluded that the convicted appellants, as members of the infamous Chotu gang, had carried out the brutal murder of six police officials and caused firearm injuries to others who were performing their official duties during the operation against criminals.
The Chotu gang operated in the riverine belt of Rajanpur and was known for kidnapping for ransom, extortion, dacoities and murder.
