SC acquits death row convicts in Sindh Judge’s son murder case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquitted the accused in the murder case of Sindh High Court judge Justice Khalid Shahani’s son, citing flawed investigation and weak prosecution, ARY News reported.

According to reports, a short order authored by Justice Athar Minallah set aside the verdicts of both the trial court and the Sindh High Court, which had earlier convicted the accused. The detailed judgment will be issued later.

The apex court acquitted Sikandar Lashari and Irfan alias Faheem, who had been handed the death penalty in the case.

In 2014, Hunain Tariq, the son of Justice Khalid Shahani, was killed in Sindh, leading to the trial and conviction that has now been overturned.

Also Read: SC acquits father accused of sexually assaulting daughter after 12 years

Earlier, the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted a man who had been imprisoned for 12 years on charges of sexually assaulting his daughter, overturning the life sentence awarded by a trial court and later upheld by the Lahore High Court.

According to reports, the apex court ordered that the accused be released immediately if he is not required in any other case. The judgment was issued in a 10-page written decision authored by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi. A three-member bench headed by Justice Hashim Kakar heard the case.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan noted that the statement of the alleged victim was unreliable as no test of mental maturity was conducted during the recording of her testimony.

According to the ruling, under the Qanun-e-Shahadat (Law of Evidence), a child’s testimony is only admissible if the judge is satisfied with the child’s level of understanding.

The judgment highlighted contradictions in the victim’s statements, including unclear details about the date and time of the alleged incident.

It also pointed out inconsistencies in the medical testimony, as the doctor initially confirmed signs of assault but later denied it during cross-examination.