KARACHI:
On 18th October 2022, the Supreme Court acquitted Shahrukh Jatoi and his accomplices in the 2012 Shahzaib Khan murder case. Despite being an open-shut case, it was dragged on for ten years and ultimately reached the conclusion that the public had drawn years ago. Once again, the people are reminded that the justice system will always protect the rich and influential.
From the onset of the case, the perpetrator’s family used their power to manipulate the case and offer Jatoi a safe passage. Jatoi was immediately flown out of the country to avoid an arrest. He was only brought back after significant pressure. Even during the initial court hearings, the perpetrator showed no signs of shame, remorse, or guilt and was instead seen flashing signs of victory. It is now evident that his careless demeanour meant that he was fully aware that he will walk away scot-free. On the other hand, the victim’s family was coerced into signing agreements and threatened to drop the charges. It is now being claimed that the perpetrator had long offered blood money to the victim’s family in exchange for freedom.
Even if the victim’s family pardoned the culprit, how can the state let him walk free? Jatoi and his accomplices’ acquittal is a chilling reminder for all the citizens of the country that the law only favours those with power. It gives hope to the wealthy and influential culprits whilst the victims and their families have lost all their hope and faith in the justice system.
Faisal Rahim
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2022.
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