Prosecutor says Wali Babar case can be wrapped up in 45 days

Abdul Maroof says high court’s order can be pulled off by having daily or twice weekly hearings.


Our Correspondent October 21, 2012

KARACHI:


It is possible to wrap up the Wali Babar murder trial in 45 days, admitted its prosecutor even though holding a speedy trial inside jail may seem like a difficult prospect.


On Friday, the Sindh High Court had ordered the trial court to conclude the case within 45 days. The trial of the suspects accused of killing the Geo TV reporter has been going on for months now. Wali Babar was shot dead in Liaquatabad on January 13, 2011.

The case was transferred to Anti-Terrorism Court III from ATC II and has had 31 hearings so far. On June 14, the hearings were transferred inside the central prison over security worries on the orders of the Sindh home department.

The last hearing was held on October 9 and the next hearing is scheduled for October 23. In court documents, 23 witnesses have been listed, but only the complainant - Wali Babar’s brother - and some police officials have deposed so far. But prosecutor Abdul Maroof says that since the high court has ordered a swift trial, the court can make it work in 45 days by having hearings daily or twice a week.

Given that a trial inside the jail requires witnesses to be taken to the jail and proceedings can take several hours, the issue also is, however, the security of the officials involved with the case, including the judge, the prosecution and the defence lawyers.

The suspects - Mohammad Shahrukh alias Mani, Faisal alias Nafsiyati, Mohammad Shakeel, Naveed Shah alias Polka and Syed Mohammad Ali Rizvi alias Ali - have all been charged with murder with common intent and under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Five other men - Kamran alias Zeeshan, Junaid, Saeed, Liaquat and Faisal - have been declared fugitives. The case was registered by the Liaquatabad supermarket police.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2012.

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