Shahrukh being declared juvenile to evade death sentence: SC
30 January, 2013
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that efforts were being made to declare Shahrukh Jatoi, the main accused in the Shahzeb murder case, as juvenile in order to save him from the death sentence. The court also directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Sindh Police to apprehend those who helped Shahrukh flee the country instead of making a porter as scapegoat. A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, resumed the hearing of the Shahzeb murder case. Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Sindh Police, Shahid Hayat, submitted the progress report of the case in pursuance of the court orders to which the chief justice observed that the court had high expectations for investigation in the current matter without fear and favour. Hayat stated that Shahrukh Jatoi, being an underage suspect, was sent to the juvenile jail on judicial remand till Jan 29 by an anti-terrorism court (ATC). Justice Iftikhar recalled that the father of Shahrukh Jatoi had stated before the court that his son also received first aid to which the DIG replied that the main accused received no injuries. He further said that the FIA had submitted that Shahrukh's two passports were in the custody of Sindh Police. However, the DIG told the court that the accused had flown abroad on an "emergency" passport. The SC bench observed that how a minor could manage to escape from the country, saying it used to be happened that a party in murder case flexes muscles to declare an accused as minor in order to save him from the capital punishment. The chief justice said the police record stated the accused had flown abroad with the support of someone else's boarding pass. The court was informed that Shahrukh's date of birth was determined through his passport particulars which is November 27,1995, thus he falls in the category of minor accused.The bench repeatedly remarked during the hearing that police must show progress in the case in order to dispel the impression that influential people are not accountable. The chief justice remarked that the constitution empowers the apex court to address human rights issues. The court directed the Sindh Police to conduct impartial investigation in the matter and arrest those behind the escape of the accused and adjourned hearing till February 04. End.
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