Zainab murder case: LHC rejects Imran's appeal against death sentence

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday rejected convict Imran Ali’s appeal against his death sentence in the rape and murder case of minor Zainab in Kasur.

According to Express News, Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan and Justice Shahram Sarwar Chaudhry formed the LHC division bench which began the hearing of the appeal filed by convict Imran.



During the hearing, the convict's counsel presented the argument that Imran was not the actual perpetrator of the crime, and that the trial court which handed him the death sentence gave the verdict in haste.

At this, Justice Sadaqat remarked that "the convict had filed the appeal to lessen the sentence, you are talking about erasing the crimes completely. When the courts have given their verdict on time and after investigation, you should not have any concerns regarding it."

Justice Shahram remarked that out of 1,187 people tested, Imran’s DNA was the only one that matched. The investigation has proved Imran is the real culprit.

After listening to all the arguments, the bench dismissed the appeal filed against Imran’s death sentence. The court maintained the verdict of ATC declaring it has been established in the investigation that Imran is the actual accused.



Last month, Imran Ali challenged the Anti-Terrorism Court’s (ATC) verdict that convicted him in the LHC. The accused was awarded death sentence on four counts, life imprisonment, seven-year jail term and imposed a total fine of Rs3.1 million and Rs1million compensation to the legal heir of the deceased.

Currently, the law provides 15 days to the convict to move an appeal against his conviction before the Lahore High Court. If the appeal is turned down then the convict can approach the country’s top court for redressal of his grievances. He may also move a mercy appeal before the president.