If something happens to Zainab’s accused: Punjab prison, police chiefs to be held responsible, says CJP

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court was informed on Thursday that the suspect in custody for the murder of Zainab is a member of a pornography gang and has 37 foreign currency bank accounts, and has the backing of the country’s most important personality as well as a minister.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, heard the case related to the rape and murder of eight-year- old Zainab. The chief justice took notice of the startling revelations made in Dr Shahid Masood's TV show and had summoned him on Thursday.

In pursuance of the court directions, anchor Dr Shahid Masood, along with his counsel Shah Khawar, and Additional Advocate General Punjab Asma Shahid, appeared before the court. During the hearing, the chief justice said after the disclosures made by the anchor, tight security is required for the accused.

Meanwhile, a video clip of Dr Shahid’s talkshow was played in the courtroom, wherein the anchor claimed that Imran Ali, the accused in the Zainab murder case, is neither mentally deranged nor a fool and he has 37 foreign currency accounts besides having the backing of some influential figures. After watching the clip, the chief justice asked the anchor if he has anything additional to tell the court besides what he has already mentioned in the programme. Dr Shahid replied in the affirmative.

At this, the chief justice said since the accused is in police custody, the Punjab Police are responsible for his protection and if he has been sent to jail then the IG Prisons would be responsible for his security.

The chief justice directed Dr Shahid Masood to provide the list of 37 bank accounts of the accused, Imran, to Additional Advocate General, Punjab, Asma Hamid, for verification. Dr Shahid apprised the court that he gathered the information during his recent trip to the Middle East, saying he has got the full details of the accused’s bank accounts.

The chief justice asked Dr Shahid Masood to share the identities of the two influential people involved in the Kasur scandal and that would be kept secret. The anchor wrote the names of the important personalities allegedly involved in the case and gave it to the chief justice. The chief justice also showed the paper to other judges on the bench. “If these accusations turn out to be incorrect, it will not be good,” the CJ warned.

Meanwhile, the court directed that a Joint Investigation Team to inquire about the case in two days and submit the report. Additional Advocate General Punjab, Asma Hamid informed the court that the Punjab chief minister after watching Dr Shahid's programme had constituted a six-member investigation team, comprising the representative of the State Bank and the Intelligence Bureau. The Supreme Court also directed the Inspector General of Police, Punjab, and the jails to provide complete security to the accused, Imran Ali, and adjourned further hearing until Monday.

INP adds: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah also directed the Anti-Terrorism Court to hold day-to-day hearing of rape and murder case of Zainab. According to a notification, the LHC CJ directed Anti-Terrorism Court-I Judge Sajjad Ahmad to strictly observe and follow the provision of Section 19 (7) & (8) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The CJ also directed the ATC Judge to ensure decision of the case/FIR no. 08/2018 dated January 4, 2018 lodged with Kasur’s Police Station-A division under Section 302, 363,, 364-A, 376, 377 of Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7ATA within the stipulated period of seven days after taking cognizance of the same by conducting proceedings on daily basis.