Lahore (February 21, 2018): Lahore High Court on Wednesday rejected a petition seeking public hanging of Imran Ali, a convict from trial court in rape and murder case of 8-year-old Zainab.
A two member bench headed by Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan was hearing a petition to publically hang murderer in Zainab rape and murder case.
The petition filed by Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry said in his petition that the convict should be hang publically in order to set an example in such cases. He also raised a legal point that there was no need of amendment in constitution in order to publically hang Imran Ali as the execution could be carried out under Section 22 of Anti-terrorist Act 1997.
He also demanded to publically hang Imran at the same place where he killed Zainab.
The court rejected the plea, saying that it was filed well before time as the convict has still three more forums to challenge his conviction and the appeal could not be heard unless he exhaust these options.
Anti Terrorist Court has given death sentence four times to Imran Ali Naqshbandi.
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ATC-I Judge Sajjad Ahmad conducted the proceedings of the trial on daily basis in compliance with the directions of the Lahore High Court at Kot Lakhpat Jail.
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The court has also sentenced Imran to life imprisonment. The culprit was also handed a fine Rs1 million.
Zainab’s father, Mohammad Amin, reached the court earlier today amid high security, to hear the verdict.
Prosecutor General Ehtasham Qadir said the suspect was convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering Zainab .
He said the convict was sentenced to death on four counts and awarded life imprisonment , seven year jail term and Rs700,000 fine on other counts.
The prosecution counsel said that his team has brought the culprit to justice. He further said that the government of Punjab made countless efforts to put the culprit behind the bar.
“Our judiciary now uses DNA evidence like other countries to conclude a case,” he said in a media briefing after the verdict was announced.
He further said that despite the confession they wanted to give him a fair trial and prove the case through scientific evidence. Ali will now have 15 days to approach the court to file an appeal.
The verdict was announced in Kot Lakhpat jail amidst tight security. Zainab’s father was also present for the verdict.
The defence and prosecution concluded their arguments earlier this week in the high-profile case, which was heard inside Kot Lakhpat Jail where the accused, Imran Ali Naqshbandi, is jailed on remand.
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