Shahzeb Khan murder case: Medical report says prime suspect is a minor
Investigators fear Shahrukh Jatoi’s trial might be handed over to juvenile or sessions court.
A file photo of protesters holding placards calling for justice. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE
KARACHI:
Medical tests have shown that Shahrukh Jatoi, prime suspect in the Shahzeb Khan murder case, is aged between 17 and 18 years old. In purely legal terms, Shahrukh can now be tried under juvenile justice laws.
The latest development could be a turning point in the case, with investigators fearing that the key suspect’s trial might be referred to a juvenile or a sessions court.
Twenty-year-old Shahzeb Khan was shot dead on December 25, 2012, allegedly by Shahrukh Jatoi and Siraj Talpur. Shahrukh surrendered himself to the Karachi police in Dubai on January 17, while Talpur was arrested earlier along with his brother Sajjad and their cook Ghulam Murtaza.
Shahrukh was taken to the Civil Hospital Karachi on Monday after the court ordered a medical checkup to determine his age. The report’s findings, issued on Tuesday, suggested he was between 17 and 18 years old. According to the report, Shahrukh weighs 70 kilogrammes and is five feet and nine inches tall.
“Our job is done, the rest is up to the police and the court,” Additional police surgeon Dr Ejaz Ahmed Khokhar told The Express Tribune.
According to the date of birth recorded on Shahrukh’s passport, he is around 17 years and one month old. Investigation officer of the case Inspector Mohammad Mobin told The Express Tribune that they have evidence of Shahrukh’s involvement in the murder, while the police is currently trying to recover the weapons used in the shooting.
“We are making efforts for Shahrukh’s trial to continue at the anti-terrorism court. He has already been identified by witnesses as the murderer,” he said. “Our case will get stronger if we recover the [murder] weapons,” he added.
On the other hand, Shahrukh’s attorney Naeem Qureshi told The Express Tribune that he would file an application to request the court to hold his client’s trial in a juvenile or sessions court on January 24, the next date of the hearing.
“There was no need to attach a section of the Anti Terrorism Act in this case. It was done by the police under pressure from the Supreme Court,” he said. “Even if they continue Shahrukh’s trial in the ATC, it will be under the juvenile law.”
The lawyer added that while everyone had mourned Shahzeb’s death, now was the time to reconcile.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2013.
Medical tests have shown that Shahrukh Jatoi, prime suspect in the Shahzeb Khan murder case, is aged between 17 and 18 years old. In purely legal terms, Shahrukh can now be tried under juvenile justice laws.
The latest development could be a turning point in the case, with investigators fearing that the key suspect’s trial might be referred to a juvenile or a sessions court.
Twenty-year-old Shahzeb Khan was shot dead on December 25, 2012, allegedly by Shahrukh Jatoi and Siraj Talpur. Shahrukh surrendered himself to the Karachi police in Dubai on January 17, while Talpur was arrested earlier along with his brother Sajjad and their cook Ghulam Murtaza.
Shahrukh was taken to the Civil Hospital Karachi on Monday after the court ordered a medical checkup to determine his age. The report’s findings, issued on Tuesday, suggested he was between 17 and 18 years old. According to the report, Shahrukh weighs 70 kilogrammes and is five feet and nine inches tall.
“Our job is done, the rest is up to the police and the court,” Additional police surgeon Dr Ejaz Ahmed Khokhar told The Express Tribune.
According to the date of birth recorded on Shahrukh’s passport, he is around 17 years and one month old. Investigation officer of the case Inspector Mohammad Mobin told The Express Tribune that they have evidence of Shahrukh’s involvement in the murder, while the police is currently trying to recover the weapons used in the shooting.
“We are making efforts for Shahrukh’s trial to continue at the anti-terrorism court. He has already been identified by witnesses as the murderer,” he said. “Our case will get stronger if we recover the [murder] weapons,” he added.
On the other hand, Shahrukh’s attorney Naeem Qureshi told The Express Tribune that he would file an application to request the court to hold his client’s trial in a juvenile or sessions court on January 24, the next date of the hearing.
“There was no need to attach a section of the Anti Terrorism Act in this case. It was done by the police under pressure from the Supreme Court,” he said. “Even if they continue Shahrukh’s trial in the ATC, it will be under the juvenile law.”
The lawyer added that while everyone had mourned Shahzeb’s death, now was the time to reconcile.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2013.