Police officials escorting Shahrukh Jatoi. PHOTO: PPI
Shahrukh Jatoi’s teeth and bones may have given him away. A second set of doctors have said that their tests indicate that he is older than 18 years — a revelation that means he could be tried as an adult for the murder of Shahzeb Khan.
“It is quite clear. All the teeth were present, including the four wisdom teeth,” a member of the medical board told The Express Tribune requesting anonymity since the case is still being heard in court. “It was very disappointing that the police did not bring the relevant documents for a complete investigation today [Wednesday].”
Jatoi is accused of killing Shahzeb Khan, the 20-year-old son of a police officer, in the upscale Defence neighbourhood of Karachi on December 25 over a petty dispute.
Earlier reports of his bone tests and a physical inspection declared him a minor, or under 18 years, and hence eligible for juvenile prison. But these assessments were rejected by the court, asserting that police surgeon Dr Jalil Qadri was not eligible to pronounce Jatoi a minor between the age of 17 and 18 years. Dr Qadri was asked to explain himself but he fled the scene.
Consequently, the provincial heath department gave six other doctors the job. They were led by Professor Junaid Ashraf, principal of Dow Medical College.
The board’s Dr Muhammed Taufeeq told the media that Jatoi underwent six X-rays and teeth and hair examinations in the presence of a large police team at the Services Hospital. After this he was escorted back to jail.
The medical board will meet again at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 9. Taufeeq said the investigation officer is required to submit all documents, including the bone tests and Jatoi’s physical report to the medical board on the same day as well.
The prime suspect had slipped away from the country to evade arrest after the murder and was escorted back by the police after he was deported from Dubai. He was pointed out as the alleged killer by witnesses during an identification parade.
An anti-terrorism court had earlier directed the medical superintendent of Services Hospital to form a medical board to conduct Jatoi’s ossification test on January 17.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2013.
COMMENTS (36)
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What about his birth certificate or a passport. Whatever age he may be he is as guilty as sin.
Even if he escapes then messing with a cop can really get worse in the long run.He killed son of a cop and there's a saying that
It is quite unreasonable of you to correct Faiza on the spelling of a transliterated word. There is no accepted or proper translation of the Urdu word and thus spelling it 'Veedera' or 'Wadera' are both equally acceptable.
@Faiza-
Firstly its not "veedera" its "wadera". Secondly he belongs to a pure business oriented family..just by his sir name you cant judge his background. You may have a more "wadera mentality" being a non-sindhi than a sindhi. So please..its always better to get your facts straight before judging/commenting. Only if this sort of "mindset" is eliminated from our society..half the world would be in peace.
Ciao
@AA: And your ancestors were any better?
Why wasting my tax money performing all kinds of tests... Get his Birth Certificate and his graduation records from Aitichison College.
CJ Shb: plse save money and time.
Yes please thank you also move him from Juvenile prison to Karachi central jail
be realistic "kuch bahi nahi ho ga" He will go scott free. This whole country of ours has become one big syncronized nut-job.
The strategy seems to be to waste time. The logic behind this is that as time passes the situation changes and media fatigue sets in, new scandals come to light and the Shahrukh Jatoi case is all but forgotten, that is when they will act to free him. No wonder the saying ' justice delayed is justice denied ' is so true.
What about his birth certificate?
Instead of Shahrukh his father should be hanged who taught him brutality and no respect for human life.
Good grief ! what a land in which we are living where people cannot differentiate between normal teeth and milk teeth. He is just a baby with milk teeth and we adamant to prove him 18.
@DevilHunterX:
Ye you become civilized when you and fellow britains squeezed all the blood from africans, red indians and asians
Thankfully, I have seen many positive suggestions for true justice in Pakistan. I am not sure how the powerfully connected "tribals" will worm their way out of this situation but, there is one thing I do know for sure; PEOPLE POWER still works. It was because of PEOPLE POWER that the wheels of justice turned the way they did in this particular case. So why don't we start gunning for: 1) RPP and justice for Kamran Faisal? 2) Illegal boundaries around Bilawal House causing a menace to the residents? 3) Stop government from meddling into HEC matters and safe-guarding their fake degrees?
There are many more .. but PEOPLE POWER is the key. Question is, WHEN? I remain positive that there are a few good, responsible, peace-loving Pakistani citizens very eager and willing to bring back the old days of glory. Stay blessed :)
The easiest way to verify his age would be to get his date of birth from the Australian embassy which he must have submitted when he applied for a visa.
funny people here,talking about Justice in our society. he will get away from all this and might contest election in next few years to become a notable political figure. he has proved his credentials by killing a citizen.
His confident look shows it that he will set free in the End!
Hang this monster to death. How corrupt is our system that the very authorities whose job is to protect citizens and provide justice have been helping him.. every single step of the way. It's a miracle that we have come as far as we have. To be hanged till death.
I repeat my earlier observations:
Now one need to analyse the events in chronologically Earlier medical report was presented in the court declaring Shah Rukh Jatoi – SRJ as minor by concerned authority. The prosecutor lawyer accepted the report in the court and judge on that acceptance sent the SRJ children jai l(borastal). No objection from the Shahzeb father and family on that report at that hearing. The SC raised question on the medical report of SRJ After listening the observation of SC, the concrned Judge of lower court rejected the earlier medical report and order for a fresh medical examination in next hearing by a medical board. Formal Report is still awaited but this interim news showing he is not minor.
Now my queries are Why prosecutor accepted the earlier medical report and did not raise objection. Why the lower court judge accepted the earlier medical report and then rejected in next hearing only after SC notice. And now the medical board news seems SRJ may be declared major.
It shows that how the system is so corrupt that to determine the age of a accused in a media hifi case the SC has to take notice, then what is done with a common person case where no media or SC is involved, One can imagine.
Is there any way to get out of this state of affairs in Pakistan, I think NO.
And in the civilized world, we check the Birth Certificate. Just ask Obama.
He will escape
The Culprit should be Hanged "SHO TIME"
@O2: @Peter: Both of you are right. The police are dragging their feet by not presenting the record of the accused to the Medical Board as per their instructions. Why are the judges reluctant to throw the delinquent police officers under the train??? I can't fathom that. A few police officers who are trying to pervert the course of justice, including Dr. Qadir should also face the death penalty. Yesterday former HMG Minister Huhne's was indicted for driving above speed limits and then having his wife lie about it, now faces 20+ years in Jail. That is Justice. Not Justice as dispensed in the Land of the Pure.
Justice should be served here. Thank God Chief Justice took suo moto notice of this case else we all know how much we can trust the government to deliver justice.
@Peter: Yes the day he will be convicted, you will comment with a new nick here. There cant be anything positive without positive thinking first
He is going to get away free in the end, most probably blood money will come into play now for sure. It is a great sin to punish someone powerful in this country :)
I bet This person never gonna convicted in the History of Pakistan. All this drama is just increasing ransom money and bribe money for stake holders.
He is so guilty its not even funny. Why are we wasting tax payers money on this useless trial. Hang him to death and lets move on !!!
The names of these doctors should have been kept confidential. Well done for putting their lives in jeopardy!
Hanged till death
God is great!
Allah O Akbar
Truth . . . damn truth . . . and ballistics.
So, neck is fit for the rope! No, mercy only justice!!
This "veedera ka beta" should be hanged till death..