IGP summoned over murder trial delay

Accused behind bars in six-year-old case

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has summoned the Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) to explain why prosecution witnesses have not been produced in six years in a double-murder case, leaving an accused behind bars without the trial's completion.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum issued the direction while hearing a bail petition of Muhammad Saim who has been in jail for six years in the case registered at Raiwind city police station in 2020.

The court was informed that the case involved 11 accused, but the police investigation had yet to be completed and the trial had not properly commenced despite the passage of six years.

During the hearing, the chief justice questioned the prosecution over the prolonged delay, observing that, according to a report, the police had arrested a new suspect whenever evidence had been recorded, preventing the trial from reaching completion.

The court directed the IGP to appear in person the following day and explain the circumstances that had kept the case pending.

The petitioner has sought post-arrest bail and his release from custody on the grounds of the prolonged delay in the investigation and trial.

In another case, the court acquitted three men sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case, granting them the benefit of the doubt after hearing their appeals.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the appeals filed by Imran Javed, Khan Tahseen and Haider Ali against their conviction by an additional sessions judge in 2021.

During the hearing, the defence counsel argued that the murder case had been registered on November 4, 2016, while the post-mortem of the victim, Shahbaz, had been conducted two days after his body had been found.