TikToker sentenced to death for murder

Listen to article

RAWALPINDI:

A district and sessions court on Saturday handed down a death sentence to famous Rawalpindi-based TikToker and social media performer Rehana, popularly known as 'Zakhmi Sherni', after she was found guilty in a murder case. The court also imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Farhat Jabeen ruled that the convict be hanged by the neck until death, declaring that she had committed a grave offense and was not deserving of any leniency.

The case involved a family dispute over a marriage proposal, during which Zakhmi Sherni fatally shot her cousin, Lajpal Hussain Shah. Armed with a 30-bore pistol, she entered his home and opened fire. The incident was registered at Kotli Sattian Police Station on March 23, 2023.

Following the murder, the convict fled along with her sister Mehnaz, who was also named in the case. However, the police arrested Rehana several months later and recovered the murder weapon from her possession.

The judge announced the verdict on Saturday after it had been reserved for three days. Throughout the trial, the TikToker repeatedly created and uploaded videos to TikTok under her alias Zakhmi Sherni, often appearing in handcuffs during court appearances.

Following her sentencing, Rehana was shifted to Adiala Jail. After hearing the verdict, she stated, "The decision is not fair. I will appeal to the Lahore High Court (LHC)."

The case was registered by the deceased's brother, Zamir Hussain, at Kotli Sattian Police Station in Murree district. The victim, Lajpal Hussain Shah, was a resident of Sehla Syedan, Kotli Sattian. The incident occurred during a family altercation, when the accused, accompanied by her sister, entered the house and opened fire on her cousin, killing him on the spot.

Several female TikTokers were present in court to witness the verdict. Rehana, throughout the trial, continued to film and upload TikTok videos from prison, often in handcuffs and set to music.