Investigation transfer: Sapna Khan verdict on May 15

Petitioner wants investigation to be shifted to a senior officer.

LAHORE:

Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Hussain Sial on Friday fixed May 15 for announcing his verdict on a petition seeking transfer of investigation of a kidnap and murder complaint against former chief minister Dost Muhammad Khosa  from deputy superintendent of Civil Lines police to a senior investigation wing official.

The petition had been filed by Missal Khan, father of actress Zeba Khan alias Sapna Khan, Khosa’s former wife.

The judge had earlier reserved the verdict for May 11, but on Friday fixed it for May 15.

Missal Khan, through his counsel Advocate Azher Siddique, contended that he had submitted an application for the registration of an abduction and murder case against Khosa in November 2011. He said that on December 7, a sessions court judge issued the orders for registration of a criminal case against Khosa and his accomplices. Later, he said, similar orders were issued by the Lahore High Court.

The Lahore High Court in its orders had stated that the investigation should be conducted by a senior investigation wing officer.

He said that he and his family had been under pressure from the respondents to withdraw the case. He alleged that the Civil Lines police were hesitant to arrest Khosa or carry out a fair investigation.

Besides Khosa, the petitioner has named Sajjad Ahmed, Dawood Butt, Naeem, Amjad, Rana Tanveer, Javed, Yaseen and Shahid under Section 364 of the Pakistan Penal Code (kidnapping in order to murder) in complaint registered at Race Course police station.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2012.