A file photo of protesters holding placards calling for justice. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE
KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday declared a witness’ statement in Shahzeb Khan murder case as false, Express News reported.
One of the witnesses during a previous hearing denied that he saw the prime suspect, Shahrukh Jatoi, on the day of the murder. He had given a different statement to the police earlier.
The court, today, declared the new statement as false.
The witness has decided to challenge the court decision in the Sindh High Court.
The ATC also issued arrest warrants for two witnesses who failed to appear before the court despite orders to do so.
Shahzeb, the 20-year-old son of a police officer, was shot dead in his car on December 25, 2012, in the upscale Defence neighbourhood of Karachi. Shahrukh Jatoi, his friends Siraj Talpur, Sajjad Talpur and their house worker Ghulam Mustafa Lashari are being tried for murder.
COMMENTS (24)
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How come none of you stop to think that the "witness statements" were bought in the first place for the hearing and now it's a trial they don't want to continue to lie? Already Shahzeb's uncle proven in Court to have lied....
People are posting comments without realizing what courts do. Job of courts is to deliver based on the facts provided. We need a proper investigation and witness protection system. It is good to see that court declared witness's new statement as false. It is the investigation team/police etc that is making a mess of this case. When witnesses are threatened and harassed into changing their statements, what can courts do except to declare new statements as false. Investigation and presenting a case against the accused is not done by courts. They only deliver decision based on what is presented. And if no evidence is not provided beyond reasonable doubt accused is declared innocent.
God help us and this country.
If Zardari had kept him in his house and got him to Dubai without a passport then Zaradri will help him escape again
The khan family should forget the idea of seeking timely justice in Pak Courts. In their shoes I would engage good old Natural Law - an eye for an eye!!
Its very shame despite knowing the facts that this particular case whole the world is watching , doing such type of practices by wittiness really it is question mark for Pakistan and Muslim community. We expect the court will take measure that case should not spoil due such type characters.
if my family members are kidnapped to an unknown place surviving brute violence just to prevent me from giving statements ....i would definitely give false statement .....i love my family and i am no hero....,,,,can you people just think in their perspective please ?????? they did have atleast initially the balls to stand and speak truth .....i bet none of you would have done that
We need witness protection laws now!
The witnesses should stay strong, they should be punished for lying under oath, all strong words, though while everyone is considering that the witnesses have been bribed, I wonder how many of us would change statements if we or our families were threatened. A random phone call saying, I know where your son/wife/daughter is and if you value their safety, don't go to court or change your statement and I wonder how many of us would be motivated to ensure justice is served and son on in the absence of any protection from the government. Just to add we have examples of what happened to the witnesses of the Wali Babar witnesses....all murdered before the trial.
We must stand by Shahzeb's family. If people unite, these feudals cannot do anything INSHALLAH
Witnesses need to be protected, some serious powerful people are involved. Justice must be served.
May be earlier statement of witnesses was incorrect...and vice versa.
This is just sad! I understand the witnesses and their families must be under a lot of pressure but this is still no excuse!
Time is key. And this is how a strong case becomes weak.
Welcome to the world of lies and counter lies.
Very Well played courts & Justice systme of Pakistan
The Delay you Caused in this case just gave chance for those murderers to Black Mail & Harass the witness causing them & making them to withdraw
It's high time the justice system stands up and does the right thing.........and does it quickly.
This shows our courts are making justice even when witness are bought by money to change words. bravo!
Surely once you've declared a statement to be false you must pursue it and potentially follow it up with a punishment for giving false declaration to the court!
Shahrukh & gang must not be let off the hook. This is a test case for our judiciary and will restore confidence of the people in it if justice is served.
Trust in higher courts maintained:)..something to cheer about!!