Double murder trial: Davis sent on judicial remand

CCPO Lahore says eyewitness accounts and forensic reports point to 'cold-blooded murder'

LAHORE:

American national Raymond Davis has been sent on a 14-day judicial remand by a Lahore court on Friday while investigations reveal the murders were not in self defence, said police officials.

Deputy Superintendent Police Old Anarkali Safdar Raza Kazmi produced the hand-cuffed accused in an armoured vehicle in judicial magistrate Model Town Muhammad Aneeq Anwar’s court, amid tight security.

Investigation officer of the case Inspector Munir Ahmed informed the court that the accused has confessed to his crime during interrogation and evidence in this regard has been made part of the case record.

Ahmed also submitted provisional charge sheet of the accused and requested the court to send Davis to jail on judicial remand as his ongoing 14-day physical remand has elapsed under the law.

Meanwhile, Advocate Hassam Qadir appeared on behalf of Davis and submitted an application, contending that his client enjoys diplomatic immunity. He requested the court to hold in-camera proceedings.

The court sought comments from the prosecution department by February 25 on the plea of Davis’ counsel. On the issue of Davis’ immunity, the court said the matter is pending before the Lahore High Court.

The judge directed police to produce Raymond again on February 25 along with copy of final charge sheet.

Meanwhile, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore Aslam Tareen said Davis committed a premeditated and cold-blooded murder.

Addressing a press conference at his office on Friday, Tareen said the investigation led the police to the conclusion that Davis is guilty of murder.

The police submitted the provisional charge sheet requesting the court to take action against Davis under Section 302 of Pakistan Penal Code, Tareen said.

Divulging further, Tareen said no finger prints have been found on the triggers of the pistols recovered from the two men killed by Davis and tests showed the bullets remained in the magazine of their gun and not the chamber. He added that according to eyewitness accounts, Davis directly shot at the two men and kept shooting even when one of them was running away, implying the act was not in self defence.

Regarding the suspects who killed the third motorcyclist, Tareen said they have still not been handed over to the police.

“Complete charge sheet would be submitted in the court after the recovery of other vehicle and custody of other accused men,” he dded.

Meanwhile, activists of the banned outfit Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) held a protest rally in conjunction with Anjumane Tajiran Hall Road on Friday, demanding the government hang Davis.

JuD speakers at the rally vowed to continue protests across the country.

Meanwhile Tahafuz Namoos-e-Risalat Mahaz (TNRM), a group of eight religious parties of the Barelvi school of thought, has stopped protesting against the government after its assurance to not amend the blasphemy laws, said its spokesperson Ziaul Haq Naqshbandi.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2011.