PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday summoned the police officer investigating the murder of Asma Rani, a medical student from Kohat, in the next hearing.
During the hearing of a petition filed by the brother of the deceased girl– seeking the transfer of the murder case from Kohat to Peshawar– the petitioner’s lawyer argued that the suspected murderer of Asma Rani belonged to an influential family and that he was using his influence to give threats to the victim’s family.
He said that because of this reason no lawyer in Kohat was ready to plead the case on behalf of the deceased girl’s family. The counsel, thus, pleaded with the PHC to order the transfer of the case from Kohat to any court in Peshawar for trial.
Earlier this week on Wednesday, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar ordered authorities to ensure the arrest of absconding prime accused, Mujahidullah Afridi, in the Asma Rani murder case within a month.
On February 19, Mujahidullah Afridi was placed on Interpol’s most wanted list.
Asma Rani, a third-year medical student, was allegedly killed by Mujahidullah in Kohat where she had gone for vacations after she had refused his marriage proposal.
Mujahidullah, the nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Aftab Alam fled the country after the murder. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government then approached Interpol to aid in his arrest.
Mujahidullah’s brother Sadiqullah Afridi and two other suspects were also arrested by the police.
During the court proceedings on Wednesday, KP Deputy Advocate General Abdul Latif Yousufzai told the court red warrant was issued against the accused, while police said he would be arrested soon.
On the occasion, the paternal uncle of Afridi appeared before the bench and told the court that a contact has been established with Afridi’s father abroad.
“Sympathy for an absconder wouldn’t last long as the suspect would be brought to justice sooner or later,” the CJP remarked.
The law allowed no mercy for a person absconding from the courts, he added.
“Are you a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)?” the CJP asked. Afridi’s uncle responded positively.
At which, Justice Nisar asserted that a case would also be filed against him if his support and involvement proved in the case.
The CJP then urged authorities to ensure the arrest of culprit within a month and adjourned the hearing until next month.
