Islamabad: Supreme Court has ordered to shift Umar Shiekh, accused in the USA journalist Daniel Pearl abduction and murder case, to government rest house with his family from the death cell.
A larger three member bench of the SC headed by Justice Umar Atta Bandial while Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah as other members of the bench heard the review petition filed by Sindh government against the acquittal of the accused in the Daniel Pearl murder case.
Attorney general apprised the SC that Umar Sheikh is not layman accused instead he is mastermind of terrorists adding that if he were released he will go missing. To which Justice Muneeb Akhtar said that we can’t deny sacrifices of our defense forces but we have to follow constitution.
Justice Umar Atta Bandial remarked that Umar Sheikh has an allegation of Daneil Pearl abduction.
Attorney general said that Umar Shiekh is involved in terrorism and serious crimes and prayed to court not to release Umar Shiekh. On which, Justice Umar Atta Bandial said that did it prove in the court that Umar Shiekh involved in terrorism?
Attorney general informed the court that the federation has a power to keep dangerous accused in the custody. To which Justice Sajjad Ali Shah said that you (the government) kept the accused in custody illegally for a whole month and the court can’t declare your illegal act as legal.
Justice Muneeb Akhtar said that it is not a dark age that the accused who remained in jail for almost 18 years and will remain in prison.While Justice Sajjad Ali Shah said that in the video footage of Daniel Pear murder his (Daniel pearl) face was not seen.
The SC ordered to immediately shift Umar Shiekh in normal barrack for two days after which he be transferred to the government rest house in the strict security while his (Umar Shiekh) family will live with him from 8 am morning to 5 pm evening.
The court also ordered that internet and mobile facility will not be provided to Umar Shikeh while the government will bear expenses of his family accommodation and transportation charges.
The court adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
It is pertinent to mention here that the SC has ordered release of all the accused imprisoned in the Daniel Pearl murder case on the petition challenging the SHC verdict which had also directed to release the accused.
