A n anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday reserved its judgment on two applications submitted by defence counsels in the Sarfaraz Shah murder case, seeking inspection of the crime spot and recalling a witness for cross examination.
ATC-I Judge Bashir Ahmed Khoso after hearing the final arguments from the special public prosecution reserved the judgment on the two applications.
The trial court also recorded the statements of two witnesses, including one eyewitness, who recognised the six paramilitary personnel and civilian accused of killing unarmed 22-year-old Sarfaraz Shah with common intention in the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park on June 8.
Appearing before the judge, park’s chief gardener Muhammed Ramzan stated that he was busy with routine work at the park on the day of the incident, when he heard gunshots being fired. He rushed to the spot to see a young man, dressed in pants and shirt, lying in a pool of blood begging for his life while the Rangers surrounded the injured victim.
Similarly, another witness, sub-inspector Faqeer Hussain – who initially was the case investigation officer (IO) – stated that after registration of the case, he had examined the crime spot, wherein he found the blood marks but was not able to collect a sample. “Rangers’ sub-inspector Mubashar produced two of the alleged accused Shahid Zafar and Muhamamd Afzal nominated in the FIR at the police station concerned and also produced the rifle which was used in the murder,” he added.
The court after recording their statements adjourned the hearing for the next date.
Earlier, the court expressed its annoyance over the absence of the case IO and summoned the Sindh Inspector General of Police. After the provincial police chief was summoned, IO Sultan Khawaja and other police officials rushed to the court but Khawaja and SP Dr Mazhar were stopped from entering the court.
Rangers Sub-Inspector Bahaur Rehman, Lance Naik Liaquat Ali, constables Mohammad Tariq, Minthar Ali, Shahid Zafar, Mohammad Afzal and private contractor Afsar Khan were put on trial for murdering 22-year-old Sarfaraz Shah with common intention inside the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park in Clifton on June 8.
According to the prosecution, the deceased was killed in an extrajudicial killing by paramilitary personnel, accusing him of committing robbery.
The case was registered against the alleged accused by the Boat Basin police under sections 302, 34 and 36 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. A case (FIR 227/2011) under sections 302 and 34 PPC was lodged against the law enforcement agency personnel appearing in the video footage at the same police station on complaint of the victim’s brother Salik Shah. Later, Section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 was also incorporated in the FIR.
