In December 2012, Shahzeb Khan was shot down in DHA Karachi. He was returning with his sister from a wedding when the guard of Shahrukh Jatoi hurled some abuses at his sister. He was eventually killed for picking up a fight with the accused but his case has not been able to get him justice.
The murder case from 2012 was noticed by then Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Chaudhry, after gaining a lot of mainstream and social media attention
He took suo moto notice of the case and ordered a trial.
The news was all over media platforms and people of Pakistan were raising their voices against the elitist system. The main accused in the case belongs to a very influential feudal family. This is why it was difficult to register an FIR against him.
After the Chief Justice picked up the case, and FIR (591/12) was registered on the complaint of Shahzeb’s father. The accused were registered under Sections 302 (premeditated murder), 109 (abetment) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code. However, during the investigation, Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modestly) of the PPC and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 were incorporated in the FIR.
After a speedy trial, both Shahrukh Jatoi and Nawab Siraj Talpur were sentenced to death. Sajjad Talpur and Ghulam Murtaza Lashari were given life imprisonment by Judge Ghulam Mustafa Memon of Anti-Terrorism Court-3.
However Shahrukh Jatoi’s lawyer, Advocate Farooq H. Naek, filed a review application; which asked for a retrial of Shahrukh’s case in juvenile court. Their argument is that the murder resulted due to personal animosity and should not be tried in the Anti Terrorism court. At the same time, they also feel that he was a juvenile at the same and must be treated like that by the law.
However, the pardon issued by the family has still not been granted which was causing difficulty in pushing for a retrial. But Justice Salahuddin, who was presiding the meeting, ordered that the case can be taken up by a sessions court and all the previous punishments can be dismissed.
This has left Pakistanis in utter shock and disbelief, because it only proves how difficult it is for a victim to get justice in the country – especially if the accused belongs to an influential family.
5 years later, #ShahzebKhan still doesn't get the justice he deserves.
— bby nugget (@SohaTazz) November 28, 2017
Just more melodrama to the soap that is this country sometimes. #ShahzebKhan #Shahzebmurder isn’t 5 years enough to get justice? https://t.co/b5uYlEqgQ2
— acontemplatinggirl (@acontemplatingg) November 28, 2017
A serving SPs son cldn’t be given justice, how do u expect a commn citizen to get any justice in this lawless country? #ashamed #Shahzebkhan
— Asad Nabil Gabol (@Asad_Gabol) November 28, 2017
#ShahzebKhan gets no justice. Fuck this. I am out. No point in trying anything.
— Stop Crying Your Heart Out. (@thelonegunner) November 28, 2017
#ShahzebKhan gets no justice. Fuck this. I am out. No point in trying anything.
— Stop Crying Your Heart Out. (@thelonegunner) November 28, 2017
Some think that army should be involved to get justice
Gen. Bajwa. Please do something. @OfficialDGISPR #ShahzebKhan
— MasHood Amin (@MashoodAmin) November 28, 2017
Some think that the retrial should be used to set a good judicial precedent in the country
#ShahzebKhan Murder case should be conducted in the fair manner where manipulation of Islamic law can be avoided to to safe the accused and justice should be served. This trail can set future course for justice. #SindhHighCourthttps://t.co/Si3xgdl9L2
— Faisal Mohd Baloch (@cfbaloch) November 28, 2017
Five years is a very long time for a case to not be concluded. This user summed it up very aptly
#ShahzebKhan even after 5 years no justice for shahzeb khan. Justice delayed justice denied. and no one raising voice against the feudal
— SAIF ULLAH (@BeingSaifff) November 3, 2017
Let us know what you think is the best decision for this case.
Cover image source: dawn.com