SHC sets aside death sentence of Shahrukh Jatoi in Shahzeb murder case

KARACHI: The high-profile murder case of Karachi’s young boy Shahzeb Khan took a new dramatic twist Tuesday as Sindh High Court (SHC) set aside death sentence awarded to Shahrukh Jatoi and ordered retrial of the case.

Convict Shahrukh Jatoi, the son of an influential feudal Sikander Jatoi, had filed appeal in Sindh High Court against his death sentence.

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in June 2013 had awarded death sentence to key accused Shahrukh Jatoi and his friend Siraj for killing Shahzeb Khan. Two other accused Sajjad and Lashari were given life imprisonment.

Shahzeb, 20, son of DSP Aurangzeb Khan was murdered in Karachi’s DHA neighbourhood on December 25, 2012.

On Tuesday SHC set aside the death sentences and ordered review of charges against Shahrukh Jatoi. The SHC also remanded the case back to the relevant anti-terrorism court for a fresh trial.

The victim’s family surprisingly announced pardon for Shahrukh and the three other convicts in the name of Allah without receiving blood money.

They even pleaded the high court release them at the earliest.

The cold-blooded murder had created a public outcry and prompted calls for justice. Police action came only after the Supreme Court took suo moto notice of the murder.