Remand of alleged killer of 7-year-old cousin extended
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The Judicial Magistrate Central has extended the physical remand of the accused for two days in the murder case of seven-year-old Aban.
The child was killed by his 15-year-old cousin Sufyan in the Federal B Area. Sufyan had taken Aban to a back street and slit his throat. Per his confession, Aban used to complain to his father against him.
Police had arrested Sufyan on the basis of eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage.
After the remand process was over, the police brought the accused Sufiyan before the court. The investigating officer (IO) contended that tests had been conducted to determine the real age of the accused. Sufyan is said to be 15 to 16 years old and thus a juvenile, however, if biological age test pit him at 18 or above, he would have to stand trial as an adult.
More remand would be sought once the age test results come out, the IO told the magistrate. A psychiatrist ought to evaluate the accused as well, the IO asserted stressing on checking the mental condition of the suspect.
Moreover, the statement of the suspect under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CRPC) has yet to be recorded before a magistrate, the IO said, they also have to verify the suspect's credentials from the Criminal Record Office (CRO) of the police.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st 2024.