Four inmates under-trial have been given death sentences for the rape and killing of a fellow prisoner on the night of January 1, 2024, within Adiala Jail.

The verdict was announced by Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Afshah Ijaz Suri, who found Mohammad Waqas, Asif Khan, Naqash Raza alias Amir Raza, and Bilal Hussain guilty of sexually assaulting and killing 26-year-old Sabieel in the jail’s specialized AIDS ward.

Each convict was awarded the death penalty under Section 375(A) of the Pakistan Penal Code for sodomy, along with a fine of Rs200,000. 

They were also ordered to pay Rs500,000 each in compensation to the victim’s family. 

Under Section 302(b) PPC (murder with common intention), they received a second death sentence (Tazir).

Sabieel and his attackers were among nine prisoners confined within a single cell in the specialized AIDS ward at the time of the attack. 

Around midnight, when Sabieel was having trouble breathing, inmates alerted staff, according to the jail superintendent's FIR.

After receiving medication from a dispenser, he was discovered unconscious the following morning and was pronounced deceased at the jail hospital. Assault marks were discovered around his neck.
 

Based on the witness testimonies, the investigation found that the convicts strangled Sabieel with a piece of cloth after tying his limbs and raping him in turns.

One prisoner alleged that Waqas pressed his foot against Sabieel’s throat and chest.

The incident took place in Cell No. 2 (Chakki #10), where nine prisoners had been held despite the cell's low capacity. 

The case has brought attention to the extreme overcrowding at Adiala Jail, which is capable of holding 2,200 inmates but currently holds over 7,000.

In response, seven jail officials, including Assistant Superintendent Operations Ulfat Hussain, were suspended. 

The construction of a new district jail has also been approved by the Punjab government, and construction is reportedly now under progress.

Judge Suri ordered that all case property be confiscated and destroyed following the appeals process. Sabieel’s last-worn clothes will be returned to his family.

The convicts remain in police custody and have seven days to challenge the verdict in a higher court. 


The sentences are subject to mandatory confirmation by the Lahore High Court.