Zain’s killing: Kanju acquitted over lack of evidence

The complainant had refused to testify at a previous hearing

LAHORE: An anti terrorism court on Tuesday acquitted Mustafa Kanju, son of former state minister Saddique Kanju, and his four guards of murder charges over lack of substantial evidence against the accused in the killing of a youngster, Zain.

Earlier, all eight prosecution witnesses, including complainant Sohail Afzal, an uncle of deceased Zain, refused to testify against the accused. At a previous hearing, the complainant had contended that he reached the scene one-and-a-half hour after the crime on April 1 and could not testify if Kanju and his four guards were involved in the matter. The court was also told by the counsel for the accused that both parties were in the middle of negotiating a settlement.

The FIR registered in the incident with South Cantonment police had stated that Zain, a ninth grade student, was passing by Street No4 of Cavalry Ground when a bullet fired allegedly by Kanju hit him, killing him on the spot. It said the shooting was preceded by an argument between Kanju and another driver after a collision between their cars. The FIR also stated that Kanju was apparently under the influence of an intoxicant at the time. Another youngster identified as Husnain was injured in the shooting.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2015.