Kasur rape and murder: Suspect’s trial to be held daily in jail

Proceedings to start from today; prosecutor submits list of 55 witnesses

LAHORE: The trial of Imran Ali, the alleged rapist and murderer of eight-year-old Zainab from Kasur, will be held on a daily basis and will start from February 10 (today).

This was decided on Friday after the prosecution produced Imran before anti-terrorism court judge Sajjad Ahmad. Punjab Prosecutor General Ahtesham Qadir informed the court that due to security reasons, it was decided that the trial would be held inside the jail premises. He requested the court to grant its consent in this regard and the approval was duly given.

The ATC prosecutor informed the court that investigation of the case has been completed. The prosecutor further informed that the evidence had collected, including CCTV footage, DNA and polygraph tests, the accused’s clothes and others items.

The prosecutor also submitted a list of 55 prosecution witnesses before the court. To this, the judge asked whether the suspect had recorded his confessional statement to which the prosecutor nodded in the negative.

Advocate Mehar Shakeel Multani submitted his power of attorney on the behalf of Imran Ali. The court asked Imran’s counsel to abandon his all other engagements as the court will hold a trial on a daily basis as the orders of the Lahore High Court. The court also offered to provide a state counsel to assist the lawyer of the accused. However, Advocate Mehar Shakeel refused the court’s offer and assured his presence on a daily basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2018.