ATC Quetta awards death sentence to accused in minor girl's rape, murder case

Junaid Shehzad had murdered Sehar Batool after raping her in November 2014

QUETTA: An anti-terrorism court on Tuesday awarded death sentence to accused Junaid Shehzad in the rape and murder case of seven-year-old Sehar Batool.

Little Batool was found dead in a heap of garbage on Zarghoon Road in November 2014.

Pursuing the case, Quetta police nabbed the accused who confessed to raping and murdering the minor girl.



ATC Judge Justice Ghulam Sidique announced the death sentence and a fine of Rs200,000 to be paid to the victim’s family.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Sehar’s family showed satisfaction over the court’s verdict and termed it as “justice served”.

“Though our little daughter Sehar Batool has left us, but today justice has been provided to her and we really appreciate the media’s role in raising our voice against the brutality committed against our child,” Sehar’s father Ghulam Sakhi and other family members told the media outside the court.

Innocent Sehar’s rape and murder had spread shockwaves across the country back in 2014 as many political parties and religious groups supported the family in pursuing the case.



“I want to thank all families, especially mothers, who became Sehar’s voice against the injustice done to her. We all have to unite against these grievous acts to save our little daughters,” Sehar’s mother said in a video message circulating on social media.

Junaid Shehzad, a resident of Quetta’s PSP Colony located on Zarghoon Road where Sehar’s family also lives, kidnapped her from near her house while she was playing and murdered her after raping her.

During the investigation, the rapist confessed that he along with his brother had tried to shift Sehar’s body to Combined Military Hospital, but fear of being caught compelled them to dump her in a heap of garbage.



Political and religious parties lauded the court and pledged full support for the family.

Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) Chairman Abdul Khaliq Hazara said, “The court’s decision will help regain people’s trust in our judicial system.”

The HDP chairman further said, “Today, it has been proven that blood of the innocent can’t go to waste at any cost. We really appreciate the patience Sehar’s family has shown after facing such a gruesome tragedy.”