Court rejects bail in doctor shooting

The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Imranullah, on Thursday dismissed the bail applications of two suspects accused of involvement in the assassination attempt on distinguished urologist Professor Dr Asif Malik, owner of a private hospital in University Town, Peshawar.

The court rejected the petitions filed by the accused, identified as Sultan and Shafaat, both residents of Kohat, after hearing arguments from their counsel and the public prosecutor.

According to the prosecution, the two suspects opened fire on Dr Malik within the jurisdiction of Town Police Station last month. The urologist sustained severe injuries in the attack, which took place at night.

The incident sparked widespread protests by the medical community across the province, given that Dr Malik is regarded as one of Pakistan's leading urologists.

Following the registration of a First Information Report (FIR), police launched an investigation and successfully apprehended both suspects. Officials confirmed that CCTV footage played a crucial role in identifying the accused, who later confessed to the crime during interrogation.

The prosecution told the court that the attack stemmed from a monetary dispute. "The accused have admitted to shooting the doctor over a financial disagreement," the public prosecutor stated. He further argued that given the seriousness of the offence, bail should be denied to allow for further investigation.

On the other hand, the defence counsel contended that the confessions made before the police held no legal validity. "My clients were not present at the crime scene. The police arrested them without solid evidence," the lawyer argued, pleading for their release on bail.