Awaiting Verdict: ATC indicts Shahrukh Jatoi, three others

KARACHI:

Shahrukh Jatoi and three other primary suspects in the high profile Shahzeb Khan case were indicted on murder charges by the anti terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday. 

The accused including Jatoi, his friend Siraj Talpur, Sajjad Talpur and Ghulam Mustafa Lashari pleaded not guilty in the court of ATC judge Ghulam Mustafa Memon.

Witnesses in the case have been asked to appear before the court on Friday (today) morning when the hearing resumes. If convicted, the prime suspect Shahrukh Jatoi faces a minimum punishment of life imprisonment or death sentence, lawyers said.

In addition to the murder charge, Shahrukh Jatoi also faces the penalty for illegal procession of a weapon.

The Supreme Court had ordered the ATC to wrap up the proceedings within seven days which means the verdict is expected before March 13.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2013.