Shahrukh Jatoi outside the court premises. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
In a test case for justice within the class struggle, a Karachi Anti-Terrorism Court on Friday handed down the death penalty to prime suspects Shahrukh Jatoi and Nawab Siraj Talpur in the Shahzeb Khan murder case while their accomplices were given life terms.
Seated in the back row of a packed courtroom along with the other suspects, Shahrukh appeared to be unaffected by the gravity of the proceedings. He wore a constant smile on his face --- even when ATC-III judge Ghulam Mustafa Memon read out his verdict. By the time the judge had finished, Shahrukh had started clapping.
“After hearing arguments of all the counsels, cross-examination and going through the material on record, it is proved that on the night of December 24 and 25 you killed Shahzeb,” said Memon in his judgment
“The accused Shahrukh Jatoi and Siraj Talpur are convicted and sentenced to death while the accused Nawab Sajjad Ali Talpur and Ghulam Murtaza Lashari are convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.”
There was bedlam when his emotionally charged brother, Ashraf Jatoi, started chanting against the judge and the verdict. He also accused Shahzeb’s father, Deputy Superintendent of Police Aurangzeb Khan, of allegedly demanding money.
Shahrukh was then seen displaying a victory sign while escorted by police to an armoured police carrier.
Memon convicted the accused under section 7(a) Anti-Terrorism Act, read with sections 302, 109 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The judge also directed them to pay a fine of Rs500,000 each, half of which would be paid to the legal heirs of the deceased. In case of non-payment, they will have to undergo an additional two years’ imprisonment.
Shahrukh was further convicted and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years for possessing weapons without a licence, while Lashari was sentenced to imprisonment for an extra one year for assaulting Shahzeb’s sister.
The defence counsel, Shaukat Hussain Zubedi, said an appeal will be filed in the Sindh High Court in time.
“We will appeal against the points that have been considered and not considered by the judge in the final verdict.”
The ATC also issued a show cause notice to the first investigating officer of the case, Muhammad Nafees, for not conducting the investigation properly and diligently.
“He is liable for action for the defective investigation,” ordered Memon, with directions to furnish an explanation as to why proceedings should not be initiated against him.
One of the counsels for the complainant, Salahuddin Panhwar, said the court passed the verdict on the basis of evidence and proved that it was standing by the people.
“It was a battle between a common man and a capitalist and today’s decision has proved that the judiciary is independent and not under pressure.”
The investigating officer in the case, Mohammad Mubeen, said: “Justice is served and grievances have been addressed.”
Mubeen added the decision was a reward for the hard work of the police officials in the case. “The judgment is a proof of the honesty of the police officials. We’ve been through hard times but the court has given a very good decision.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2013.
COMMENTS (23)
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Report says Jatoi dont respect the law nor the country. He should be shameful of his act and his father should be punished too with a huge fine.
Police officials have done their job well and court has given there verdict.Purnishment should also be given to those who helped him to scape and decieving the authorities, including his father. The way they acted in the court is disgraseful of court. Now its time to see how President and CJ will take action to give justice.Not sorry for the acused families they desirved it.Should be executed at once. Sorry for Shahzaibs family.We call Americans non muslim but they have justice in their country.
It is infuriating to see Jatoi's lack of respect for the law and those he caused so much pain. Why should he wipe the smug off his face when he knows his daddy is going to save him in any problem he ends up in? Now lets see if the execution is actually carried out.
his father should have been punished for deceiving the authorities and no cooperating with the police and also helping his son escape to dubai after the murder.
I dont thing so that we have to celebrate the death panalty b coz a t c only gives there order but the final authority of is presedant who deside to accept thre apeal or reject and everyone knows that shahrukh is the just like kid of presedant and our presidant never allow the death palanty to the same so where is justice when the final authrity doesnt seriouse with threr outh.
"Justice Delayed is Justice Denied" Now that after all political parties, the carrier of the citizens' trust have equivocally applaud the sentence of the ATC court I wonder who is willing, able and ready to challenge the voice of the people of Pakistan and can walk proudly later on the same soil. So long...Feudalism.
@Haris Chaudhry: They didn't show an iota of remorse or regret. I morally oppose death penalty as well but if there is any case where it is warranted, it is here.
I sometimes feel that humanity was better off in the older days. People would defend themselves with arms and would not depend on police and judiciary and media and other nonsensical additions to today's clumsy society.
We call this modernity, I wonder what Americans have to say about their state interfering in their personal space by listening to their phone calls. So much for liberty, free speech. All the free speech now can be heard!
Coming back to this case: I mean it is absolutely ludicrous; ridiculous to the point that it is proven in a court of law that Shahzeb was murdered; you have the murderer, you have the evidence, punish him or let the murderer go for a mercy plea.
I just wonder whether delaying justice is barbaric and insane or doing it the old school way is barbaric.
whAT ABOUT DAILY TARGET KILLING IN KARACHI
@PakShock: Shahrukh was clapping because it has been pushed from the start for the death penalty to be given out. The case has not been given justice and was not investigated correctly. There are 3 absconders who are suspects as well, so how can they come to the conclusion that Shahrukh has done it, without having all of the suspects? Shahrukh is innocent, and he IS ONLY 17 HE IS NOT 19!! They have been pushing the age so much, because 1) He did not commit this crime anyways and 2) it was being pushed from the start for the death penalty to be given out. This was not a just investigation, and this has given NO JUSTICE TO ANYONE.
This is not justice given to"an ordinary man"... Its a struggle of millions across the globe for justice. students, NGOs, social media and shahzebs family. Why we have to seek help from NGOS, plead on streets and ask justice from our chief justice? when that day will come when we could call a spade a spade. When a FIR and the required procedure would bring us justice.Alas I am waiting for that day.
By Clapping and smiling , showing victory signs they are saying we are not ashamed or embarrassed this mind frame is very common where jatoi is coming from.
Do not worry my dear country men give him few years inside the prison all of that ego will fade away.
I do not wish him death but i would never wish him freedom Rot inside prison for the rest of your life.
nothing will happen to this culprit as xardari will announce amnesty for him by putting more pressure on the family of victem
Right decision for this guy's the way they walked in court, like Jagirdar, Landlord, they are not deserving any mercy. Eye for Eye.
I do not support death penalty at all but seeing this guy's face after the verdict makes me think he deserves it. I hate saying this but shahrukh jatoi should be hanged as per the verdict. There is not a ounce of shame or regret in his eyes! This is what a human life means to him.. A guy died because of his actions and he's not even sorry!! He thinks this is a joke. People like him don't deserve to live and ruin other people's lives. Unacceptable! Plus, these influential parents desprerately need a rude awakening. Their money can't always save their children. I just hope they follow through with the verdict. And soon.
@Haris Chaudhry: actually chaudhry sahab it will bring solace to the family of the victim that justice has been served. it is a noble thought of eradication of capital punishment however it is an impractical one in a country like Pakistan where criminals have no fear of law enforcement what so ever.
Clapping by the "high Class" convict upon deliverance of his death sentence just showed the "Total lack of respect of law" by the elite, which ironically proved the criminal nature of the defendant that resulted in the crime of murder of Shahzeb. If Pakistan's legal system fails to follow through with today's judgement the whole nation will pay the price with the life of tens of thousands of citizens due to general frustration resulting in increase of violent crime and extremism due hopelessness in citizens from the state of our legal system.
I respect your feelings, it was a senseless murder of a young boy but with every sadness this will be a right decision to give death penalty to the person who is responsible as this is the only way to teach the society that their will be consequences of your irresponsible actions, no matter who you are you are not above the law. With great sorrow again if you look into the pictures of this boy he is shown waving victory as if he has done a great job, you wouldn't see a glimpse of embarrassment, that reflects his family background as well, he is still so sure that nothing can go wrong to him being a son of some influential person. Justice should be served and the the death penalty given to him should be implemented soon, I do not enjoy writing this but unfortunately this is the only way people will respect law. To get some thing you have to lose something.
@haris chaudhry Pls dont feel bad on behalf of these criminals. I also dont like capital punishment but only in two cases: terrorism and abuse of a minor. For me, the harassment of a girl that led to the murder of her brother by the culprits of harassment, falls clearly into both of these categories. I would love to see the smugness wiped from this criminal's face off when he realises no one can save him from imminent death.
keep clapping... thats what ur good at...
I feel for these boys being handed death sentence as much as I do for the innocent guy who lost his life. No amount of cheering, congratulating and 'eye for an eye' arguments would return back the murdered victim or bring solace to both families.
A senseless act of murder and equally senseless capital punishment !