KARACHI, July 18: An exorcist was acquitted on Monday in a double murder case by the district and sessions judge, East. Judge Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani exonerated Tanveer Zulfi from the charges of slaughtering an elderly woman and her 38-year-old son while extending benefit of doubt. The young exorcist, represented by Shahadat Awan, was prosecuted for the murder of Kaneez Fatima, 60, sister of renowned orthopaedic surgeon Mohammad Ali Shah, and her son, Rizwan Abbas, in the victims’ flat in Gulistan-i-Jauhar on June 20, 2000.
Irfan Abbas, who was also the complainant in the case, alleged that the accused faith-healer had relationship with his family as he was the friend of his elder brother, Rizwan.
According to him, his brother was under stress after he was cheated of his plot. He stated Rizwan was under stress due to strained relationships with his wife and shared his ordeal with his exorcist friend.
The complainant alleged that the accused had assured his brother and other family members of bringing everything back to normality. He said the faith- healer claimed to arrange five plots in lieu of one lost plot through his so-called spiritual powers.
According to the complainant, a day before the incident, the accused gave his brother a briefcase, warning him not to open it. He said the accused also instructed the family that he would perform his wizardry only in the presence of his mother and his elder brother.
Irfan Abbas, who also appeared as prime witness for the prosecution, stated that the accused went into their flat and he stood in front of the apartments’ building. He said that he along with his sister went to their flat when Tanveer Zulfi did not turn up.
He said they found their mother and brother trussed up and slaughtered with valuables missing in the flat.
However, the accused took the plea of alibi and stated before the court that he was at his hometown, Chakwal, for attending the engagement ceremony of his younger brother.
The judge in his verdict observed: “In view of the above facts and circumstances, it is clear that prosecution has failed to prove the case against accused and nobody is to be punished unless his guilt is proved on the basis of reliable and true evidence and benefit of any doubt is to be given to the accused and giving benefit to the accused, he is acquitted.
He is released forthwith if not required in any other custody case.”
RELEASE ORDER: The district and sessions judge, West, Mohammed Javed Alam, issued release order of the former nazim of Orangi Town nazim in an attempt to murder case after his mother refurnished the surety of the bail.
The town nazim, being represented by Shahadat Awan advocate, was booked in as many as 20 cases. He was acquitted in eight cases and was granted bail in rest of the 12 cases.
Guddu Bihari was initially arrested in late February by the Anti-corruption Establishment. He was booked in five different cases since his arrest. Subsequently, he got bail in all cases.
However, the police arrested him immediately after he was ordered to be released on bail. He was booked in two fresh cases. He also obtained bail in the two fresh cases, registered by the Pakistan Bazar police station.
Her mother had, however, withdrawn the surety in one of the cases, apprehending his re-arrest.
Shahid Alam, better known as Guddu Bihari, was arrested on February 19 by the Anti-corruption Establishment for misappropriation of Rs10 million official funds. He, however, obtained bail in the case.
He was, however, not released by the jail authorities till our going to press.
CONVOY ATTACK CASE: An anti-terrorism court put off on Saturday the hearing of the corps commander’s convoy attack case on an application by one of the defence counsel.
Judge Feroze Mehmood Bhatti fixed July 23 for the next hearing after the application of defence counsel Mushtaq Ahmed was placed on record. The defence counsel submitted that he was out of the city.
Ataur Rehman alias Ibrahim, Shahzad Ahmed Bajwah, Yaqoob Saeed, Uzair Ahmed, Shoiab Siddiqui, Danish Inam, Najeebullah, Khurrum Saifullah, Shahzad Mukhtar, Khalid Rao and Adnan Shah alias Tipu have been charged with a series of offences, including attack on the motorcade of Lt-Gen Ahsan Saleem Hayat on June 10 last year on the old Clifton bridge, which resulted in the death of six army personnel, three policemen and a passerby.
Mohammed Qasim, Maaz, Shahab, Bilal, Tayyeb, Hammad and Fasih have been declared absconders.
