A judicial court has sentenced Syed Faizan to nine years in prison for sharing explicit images of his estranged wife on WhatsApp. The sentencing comes after Judicial Magistrate (East) Yusra Ashfaq found Faizan guilty of multiple offenses under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.
Charges and Sentencing
Syed Faizan was convicted under Sections 20 (dignity of natural person), 21 (modesty of natural person and minor), and 24 (cyberstalking) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016. The court imposed a three-year prison term for each count, totaling nine years. Additionally, Faizan was fined Rs90,000, with a three-month imprisonment term to be served in case of default on the fine.
Court Observations
The court highlighted that Faizan’s actions were intended to shame and blackmail the victim and her family. The judge noted that the defendant’s conduct aimed to exert psychological pressure on the victim, who was already in a vulnerable state due to battling cancer. The impact on the victim and her family included significant emotional distress, reputational damage, and further health deterioration.
The court’s observations emphasized a pattern of control, exploitation, and intimidation by Faizan towards his estranged wife. The evidence presented demonstrated that Faizan had persistently demanded money and misappropriated the victim’s dowry, including substantial amounts of cash and gold. His abusive behavior escalated over time, culminating in the sharing of explicit images with the victim’s brother.
Background of the Case
The case was brought to light when the victim’s brother lodged a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Cell. He reported receiving obscene images of his sister from Faizan in March 2022. The images were sent to harm the family’s reputation and to blackmail them. The complainant also alleged that Faizan had mistreated his sister and demanded money.
Upon registering the case, the FIA team apprehended Faizan and seized his mobile phone, which contained the obscene material. The forensic analysis confirmed the transmission of explicit images from Faizan to the complainant.
Victim’s Testimony
In court, the victim testified that her marriage, which began in 2019, was marked by abuse. She claimed that Faizan demanded a dowry, including Rs500,000 in cash and 30 tolas of gold. When she confronted him, he threatened her with further abuse, particularly during her battle with cancer. She eventually left Faizan’s house in February 2022 and returned to her parents’ home.
Prosecution and Defense Arguments
Prosecutor Sheraz Rajpar argued that the prosecution had established its case beyond a reasonable doubt. He noted that the testimonies of prosecution witnesses were consistent and supported by the forensic report, which clearly showed the transmission of obscene images from Faizan to the complainant.
The defense counsel, however, contended that the complainant had falsely implicated Faizan. They claimed that the forensic report’s images were blurry and not conclusive. The court, however, rejected the defense’s plea, finding that the defense failed to provide evidence supporting their claims.
The case, filed under Sections 20, 21, and 24 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, underscores the serious legal repercussions for the misuse of digital platforms to harass and exploit individuals. The court’s decision reflects a firm stance against cyberstalking and the non-consensual sharing of explicit material.
Leave a Comment