ISLAMABAD: The alleged murderer of Sarah Inam was given in police custody for four more days on Thursday.

Earlier, investigators of the case produced the alleged killer, Shahnawaz Amir, in the court of Senior Civil Judge Aamir Aziz Khan for seeking more remand, the police said, adding that law officer of Islamabad Capital Territory Police Tahir Kazim appeared in the court on behalf of the police and after hearing the argument the judge sent him in police custody for four days.

According to police, custody of the suspect was sought for recovery of the victim’s passport and identity cards, including the Canadian one. Besides this, officials said the suspect’s bank account was found to be empty and he owns a plaza in Chakwal and rented it out for Rs300,000 to Rs350,000 per month.

The investigators approached the State Bank of Pakistan and requested details of the other bank account of the suspect if there was any, the officers said, adding that officials suspect that he had more than one bank account but he was hiding this information from the police.

They also received a photo copy of the couple’s marriage certificate, they said, adding that a police team was sent to Chakwal for this purpose. The investigators are also tracing three property dealers, through whom Sarah Inam was conducting a property deal, including in Banigala.

Meanwhile, the court of the senior civil judge denied handing over of the mobile phone of Ayaz Amir to him, after he submitted a petition in this regard. Police seized the mobile phone during his arrest in connection with the murder.

According to the court order, the mobile phone is required for forensic. After completion of investigation, Amir may apply again to receive it but it cannot be handed over to him as it is a key piece of evidence in the case.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2022