Extrajudicial killing: Case files don’t reach court in time on Monday

Proceedings have to be wrapped up in seven days.

KARACHI:

Although there is barely a distance of three kilometres between the two court offices,  the file for the Sarfaraz Shah murder case did not make it to the anti-terrorism court on time on Monday.

It was dispatched from the offices of the Registrar of the Anti-Terrorism Courts at the Sindh High Court and its destination was Anti-Terrorism Court I on M.T. Khan Road.

But the presiding officer, who is the ATC judge, and journalists waited all day Monday for the file to arrive. The court staff waited till 5 pm and so did the media, anxiously huddled together since late afternoon. The dispatch rider reached ATC I at 5 pm but returned with the file in hand as only police guards were left on duty, The Express Tribune learnt from sources at the ATC Registrar’s office. In simpler terms, this means another day’s delay, observed a former special public prosecutor for the anti-terrorism court.

Now the file is expected to reach ATC I on Tuesday after which the trial would start. Six Rangers personnel and a civilian are accused of killing 19-year-old Shah at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park off Boat Basin. The Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 provides seven days for a trial once it starts. The Supreme Court has already issued a direction in the case for it to be wrapped up within one month (including an appeal).

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2011.