Shahzeb murder case: Two more witnesses record statements

Defence counsel seeks class B jail cells for Shahrukh Jatoi.

KARACHI: An assistant sub-inspector and a police constable recorded their statements in Shahzeb murder case before an anti-terrorism court on Tuesday.

Both witnesses — ASI and police constable — appeared before the Judge Ghulam Mustafa Memon of the ATC-III to record their statements.

The constable stated that he was present in the police station when a sub-inspector, Muhammad Yasin, came and informed them about firing. They then went to site of the shooting. The constable said that the people gathered on the spot told them that a man, who was injured, was taken to Ziauddin hospital.

The injured, however, had died before the police could reach the hospital, the constable told the court. The complainant’s statement under section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code, however, was recorded in my presence, he added added.

To a question by the defence lawyer, the official said he had not seized any thing from the crime scene, adding that evidence had been gathered the staff of 15 police.

In his statement, the ASI testified that the suspect had confessed in his presence at the police station and that he could help in recovering the vehicle and weapon used in the alleged incident.

The ASI told the court that he along with the investigating officer and the suspect recovered the vehicle parked in a plot. The suspect opened car’s door, and took out a pistol from dash board and handed it over to the investigating officer. This, the ASI said, happened in his presence.

“Was the door opened,” asked Mir.

The ASI confirmed it.

“Is the area a busy place?” Mir pressed.

“Yes it was,” said the ASI.

“Was the trunk open?” asked Mir.

“It was closed,” said the ASI.

Better jail cell for Shahrukh

In another move, the defence counsel requested the court to grant his clients B class jail cells as they were educated and tax payers.

The counsel further expressed dissatisfaction over the forensic report and requested the court to order a new test.

The court issued notices on the issues and put off the hearing till Wednesday.

Shahrukh Jatoi, Nawab Siraj Ali Talpur, his younger brother Nawab Sajjad Ali Talpur and a servant, Ghulam Murtaza Lashari, have been charged with killing 20-year-old Shahzeb in Defence Housing Authority on Dec 24 last year.