Case closed: Man given life imprisonment for killing relative

Accused, his son and another accomplice shot and killed the son's brother-in-law

KARACHI: A sessions court handed down on Monday life imprisonment to a man after convicting him of murdering his relative eight years ago over a domestic dispute.

District East's additional sessions Judge Mehboob Ali Dayo sentenced Niamat Khan to 25 years in prison for killing the brother of his daughter-in-law, identified as Irfan Khan, in December 2008.

According to the prosecution, Niamat went with his son, Matlab Khan, to his son's in-laws in Soldier Bazaar to bring back his estranged wife, Zainab. Both the parties traded barbs and eventually a scuffle broke out, in which the father and son manhandled Irfan, later shooting him dead. The accused were apprehended at the crime scene while their accomplice, Haroon, managed to escape.

A case was lodged against the father, son and accomplice under Sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Haroon remained absconding throughout the trial, while the two others were released on bail. After getting bail, Matlab, also escaped and was never found again.

The court examined witnesses, including the brother of deceased who was present at the scene, and scrutinised forensic reports supporting the contentions of the prosecution. The weapon used in the crime was also presented in the court.

The remaining two suspects, who have been declared absconders, will be tried once arrested. The judge also directed the convict to pay Rs100,000 to the legal heirs of deceased as compensation. If he fails to pay, he will spend six more months in jail.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2016.