I firmly stand by the views expressed in my previous letters on the subject of solving high-rising crime in the country. I think the solution lies in prompt handling of cases and awarding swift deterrent punishment. Here is a classical case of alarming disparity in the nature of crime and the punishment awarded: nine people equipped with sophisticated weapons attacked a house, fired indiscriminately and killed four inmates. They were arrested, tried and awarded the punishment that deserves to be recorded in history. While the main accused was awarded ten years rigorous imprisonment, his eight accomplices were acquitted. What a deterrent punishment? As far as I know, the punishment for murder and abetment to murder is the same i. e death sentence. Will the authorities try to find out who bungled up the case, those who investigated it or the judge? -RAFI NASIM, Lahore, via e-mail, September 17.