November 20, 2008	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 21, 1429

KARACHI, Nov 19: An anti-terrorism court adjourned the hearing of a kidnap-cum-murder case of a customs clearing agent till Nov 26 after the defence counsel cross-examined a judicial magistrate on Wednesday.

Judge Syed Hasan Shah Bukhari of ATC-I is conducting the trial of Syed Mohsin Raza alias Javed, his wife, Shazia, Syed Adnan Raza and Nazia, who are charged with kidnapping and murder of Suhrab Khan in the Gulbahar police limits in June.

Defence counsel Mushtaq Ahmed cross-examined the judicial magistrate, Sarah Junejo, who had recorded the confessional statements of Nazia under Section 164 of the criminal procedure code.

The counsel argued that the confessional statement of the accused was not recorded as per legal procedure, adding that the magistrate had handed over the custody of the accused to the investigation officer instead of sending her in jail custody. He further said that the statement of an accused under Section 164 should be recorded in a courtroom instead of the chamber.

According to the prosecution, kidnappers had demanded Rs80,000 for the victim’s release, but they allegedly shot him dead after collecting the ransom on June 21. The body was found in his car (ANY-650) parked in the Gulbahar area the following day.

On July 22, the Anti-Violent Crime Cell acting on a tip-off raided a place in the Super Market area and arrested the suspects.

Acquitted of murder

Another district and sessions judge acquitted three accused of murder charges after recording arguments from both sides due to insufficient evidence.

Ghore Ali, Shahzad and Nazir-ul-Islam were facing trial for allegedly killing Imran in North Nazimabad on Dec 27, 2007.

The judge observed that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused and all the evidence produced in court were not sufficient to connect the accused with the alleged offence.

The case was registered under Section 302/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code at North Nazimabad police station.