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Woman driver booked by Karachi police for allegedly killing cat in 'road accident'
Darakshan police have registered a case against a woman over charges of killing a cat in a 'road accident' in Karachi's Defence Housing Authority area under the directives of the local court, police said on Saturday.
“We have registered a first information report against the woman under Section 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc) of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of the lawyer,” said Darakshan SHO Arshad Janjua.
The officer said that the cat was injured when the woman's car hit it in Phase 8 on February 1. It remains unclear if it was someone's pet or a stray.
A lawyer, Faiq Ali, who had witnessed the incident demanded treatment of the wounded cat, but the woman did not agree to take any responsibility. He then approached the police for lodging an FIR against the woman but the police refused to do so.
Opinion: Animals need our care too
The advocate later approached the court, contending that animal rights are protected the world over. The police also argued before the judge that if the case can be registered, then the complainant should also be nominated as he allegedly "did not help to shift the injured cat to a veterinary hospital for treatment due to which the cat died".
However, the court rejected the police’s version and directed them to register a case against the errant woman driver.
So far, no one has been arrested in the case.
Section 429 reads: "Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless, any elephant, camel, horse, mule, buffalo, bull, cow or ox, whatever may be the value thereof, or any other animal of the value of fifty rupees or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with both."
Comments (18) Closed
A sad incident. All drivers must take diligent care for all animals . The cars and stray dogs are mostly killed on roads. A little care can save a live.
In Balochistan the case of Prof Arman Loni under section 302 of Pakistan panel code has not registered yet, who was killed by police.And neither the Supreme Court had taken any notice , So what will be status of cat in Pakistan where the court could not impart justice to human beings.
This should be a criminal offense to intentionally hit or kill domestic animal.
Finally Pakistan is coming of age. A society is judged how it treats its animals and the most vulnerable.
Finally a lawyer with humanity. A woman of no substance and a police force out of step with modern times. A court with compassion.
A nation is judged by how it treats its animals.
Thank you legal fraternity.
Did she blow a tire or two first before hitting him??
Well done, Karachi Police.
It is highly commendable and good to know that Pakistani law recognizes that its animals have the right to life and safety. In fact the more I familiarize myself with Pakistan the more I am impressed. Such compassion will overcome the inhumanity that has plagued much of the nation and the world.
Some people have way too much time on their hands. Now the courts would have to hear CASES about stray cats and dogs in a country with a backlog of 2 million CASES due to the prevalent inefficient system.
I would only say what the waste of state money.. the lawyer should be charged the full expense of court fee, and on Top fine for missusing state resources regardless of the outcome of the case..
This is going into my records as one of my favorite stories.
What a great and grave tragedy?
Good Advocate Faiq Ali. From no-one you suddenly become Look! He is Faiq Ali.
this sounds like something out of Alice in Wonderland. Whither sanity?!
@Zak,
Dear Zak: Well written commentary! I fully agree...
Gordon D. Walker Canada
@Khan, then I think people will start taking matter in their own hands. The gov cant both tax us and not provide according to its constitutional responsibilities.
@Zak, thank you dear
@Khan, In Society When animal get justice, people get JUSTICE automatically / easily.