SC issues notices over bail cancellation plea

The Supreme Court (SC) issued on Thursday notices to the Sindh prosecutor general and Adil Zaman, the co-accused in anchorperson Mureed Abbas' murder case, over a plea seeking the cancellation of Adil's bail.  

During the hearing at the SC's Karachi registry, the petitioner's counsel, Faisal Siddiqui, argued before a three-member bench, comprising Justice Faisal Arab, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar, that the Sindh High Court (SHC) had ignored important evidence and granted bail to Adil.

"[But] the SHC had ruled that Adil had no role in the murder," remarked Justice Shah.  

At this, the counsel contended that Adil was present at the crime scene when his brother, Atif Zaman, who is the primary accused in the case, killed two persons, including Abbas. This was corroborated by eyewitness Umer Rehan, who recorded his statement under Sections 161 and 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The counsel further said that Rehan had stated that he had, in fact, grasped Atif when the latter opened fire on Abbas, following which Adil grabbed Rehan and attempted to shoot him.

"But the SHC, instead of making a decision of the basis of his statement, granted bail to Adil in the light of the latter's statement," the petitioner's lawyer claimed, moving the court to nullify the high court's decision.

At this, the SC issued notices to the Sindh prosecutor general and Adil, directing them to submit detailed replies on the plea by the first week of August.

Widow rejects settlement

On Wednesday, Abbas' wife Zara claimed that Atif had again approached her seeking a settlement in exchange for blood money, but she had refused.  

In a video statement, Zara said that Atif had communicated to her family that, though there was no way to compensate for Abbas' life, they could still reach a settlement and make peace.

In their message, Atif's family said that Adil had sought bail and could not be proven guilty, but Atif's trial could be prolonged, she said. She added that they had offered to pay blood money for Abbas' murder after selling Atif's share in their ancestral land.   

"But I refused any settlement and will pursue the case for as long as it may take. I won't make a deal with my husband's murderers," said Zara.

She further questioned why the accused in the case were trying to evade a trial in court. "They should appear in court as it will reach a decision on the basis of evidence," she remarked, adding that she was hopeful of getting justice.