Five sentenced to death in family murder case

Local court also awards life imprisonment to one suspect

RAWALPINDI:

Additional District and Sessions Judge Raja Faisal Rasheed has delivered the verdict in the murder case involving nine women and young girls from the same family residing in the limits of Chauntra police station.

After being found guilty, five criminals were sentenced to death five times over, along with a fine of Rs0.5 million each. Additionally, one criminal was handed down life imprisonment five times, coupled with a fine of Rs0.5 million. The court, however, acquitted seven defendants based on the principle of reasonable doubt.

Describing the crime as barbaric and atrocious, the court said that those responsible for the murder of the nine women and young girls be hanged until their last breath. Among the convicts, Danish Nawaz, Rab Nawaz, Muhammad Ashraf, and Muhammad Aqib received the death sentence, while Akram Nawaz was sentenced to life imprisonment. All offenders belong to the same family.

The incident took place on July 24, 2020, when a group of criminals launched an attack on the family's residence over a longstanding enmity. Armed me stormed into the house and opened fire at them, killing Arzan Bibi, Nisar Bibi, Salim Akhtar, Sidra, Tayyaba, Anzala, Iman Fatima, and Abida Shaheen. Additionally, a three-year-old child named Usman sustained injuries but managed to escape.

The case was registered based on the report filed by Nizar Abbas, the husband of the deceased Arzan Bibi. The court proceedings spanned four years. Following the verdict, all offenders were transferred to Adiyala Jail under strict security measures. Individuals such as Tahir Mehmood, Hamza, Muhammad Salim, Qaiser Abbas, Abid Nawaz, Wasim, and Javed were among those acquitted of the charges.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2024.