ISLAMABAD: Civil Judge Adnan Yousuf on Monday took up the acquittal petition of Shanzay Malik, daughter of Supreme Court Judge Malik Shahzad Ahmead Khan, booked in a road accident case in which two persons died.

During the hearing, Shanzay Malik’s lawyers argued that the case was registered 11 days after the accident, and the police could not give any explanation for the delay.

They contended the police could not produce any video evidence, and the photos submitted in the court did not clearly identify their client.

They also pointed out that Shanzay Malik was nominated only after the plaintiff’s delayed statement in July 2024.

On the other hand, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Tufail Shahzad Advocate, argued that an authority letter from the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench led to the vehicle’s custody. He claimed that video evidence clearly showed the accused and that a forensic report confirmed a woman was driving the vehicle.

The plaintiff, Rafaqat Ali, also alleged he faced threats and that two witnesses had identified Shanzay Malik, with their statements on record.

After hearing arguments, the court adjourned proceedings until today (Tuesday).

In 2022, a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) allegedly driven by the daughter of the Lahore High Court judge ran over two persons — who worked at Savour Foods — near the Sohan bridge on the Expressway at midnight and the investigation into the case had remained stalled.

As per the details available in the judicial record, on June 8, Shakeel Tanoli and his colleague Hasnain Ali were going home at midnight when they were hit by an SUV allegedly driven by a woman.

According to the details, the woman fled, leaving behindthe vehicle. The police took the vehicle in custody which was later given to an official of the Lahore High Court on ‘superdari’ in July 2024 upon assurance that he “shall produce the vehicle in the court as and when required”.

In July 2024, Inspector General of Islamabad Police Ali Nasir Rizvi informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the luxury vehicle of the Lahore High Court (LHC) involved in hit and run case in which two persons were killed was driven by a woman and was in the use of Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed, who has recently been elevated to the Supreme Court.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2025