SHC rejects PTI’s petition against PPP victory in by-poll

PTI had demanded a transparent investigation to be ordered on rigging and other complaints

KARACHI:

A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC), headed by Chief Justice Sindh High Court Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh, heard the petition of Tehreek-e-Insaaf against the victory of People's Party candidate Abdul Hakeem Baloch in NA-237 by-elections.

Rejecting the petition, the chief justice remarked that if there is any irregularity or rigging, you have the option to move the Election Tribunal.

PTI's lawyer Shahab Imam Advocate stated that the option of going to the Election Tribunal is after the election is over, we went to the Election Commission, the door was not opened, so we came here. Three letters were written to the Election Commission regarding irregularities. The worst rigging committed in NA 237. People's Party workers cast fake votes in the constituency. Complaints were also made to the Election Commission in this regard. A transparent investigation should be ordered on rigging and other complaints.

The chief justice remarked that you should tell us about the election controversy. The things you are telling fall in the category of election dispute. Did you go to Election Tribunal or not? Tell where the Election Tribunal is. The court rejected the petition of PTI.

Meanwhile, a two-member bench headed by Justice KK Agha gave judgment on the appeal of the accused in the murder case of three persons in Agra Taj, Lyari.

The prosecution failed to prove allegation against Shakeel alias Chotu of the Lyari gang war. The court accepted the appeal against the sentence of the accused and acquitted him on the basis of insufficient evidence.

The court also annulled the decision of ATC. The ATC had sentenced the accused Shakeel alias Chotu to life imprisonment after found him guilty.

The court sentenced the accused to 15 years separately for the crime of illegal weapons and terrorism. The court also ordered to pay Rs.100,000 to the families of the victims.

In 2013, the accused along with Zahid Ladla, Urs, Ashfaq and 2 unknown persons opened indiscriminate fire and killed Muhammad Niaz, Haji Shahzad and Muhammad Saleem, while Tasleem and Arif were injured. A case was registered against the accused in Kalri police station.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2022.