The Supreme Court of Pakistan has dismissed the appeals against the death sentences of notorious Chotu Gang leader Ghulam Rasool alias Chotu and two other convicts, upholding the verdict of six death sentences awarded to each of them.
The Chotu gang, led by Ghulam Rasool (“Chotu”), was a notorious criminal syndicate based in the Kacha area of Rajanpur, known for high-profile kidnappings, smuggling, and violent attacks against police. The gang was broken in 2016 following a Pakistan Army offensive; many members were subsequently sentenced to death in 2019.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Hashim heard the significant case. During the proceedings, the court remarked that personal enmity cannot be compared with the grave crimes associated with the Chotu Gang.
Justice Salahuddin Panhwar observed that the gang had effectively become the “king” of its area, and such was its terror that even police stations had been shut down.
The defense counsel raised an objection, arguing that both the real names and aliases of the accused were mentioned in the FIR, questioning how the police had prior knowledge of these aliases.
In response, the Additional Prosecutor General of Punjab informed the court that the accused already had a criminal record with the police.
Justice Salahuddin Panhwar also recalled that the gang had abducted 24 police personnel.
After hearing all arguments, the Supreme Court rejected the appeals of Ghulam Rasool alias Chotu and the other convicts, and upheld the trial court and high court rulings awarding six death sentences to each.
