Zainab’s killer gets death sentence on four counts

LAHORE: An Anti-terrorism court on Saturday handed down death sentence on four counts to Imran Ali Naqshbandi on the charges of kidnapping, raping and brutal murdering seven-year-old Zainab Amin of Kasur after completing the trial in a record seven-day time.

The verdict was announced by ATC judge Sajjad Ahmad in the presence of Zainab’s father Haji Muhammad Amin at Kot Lakhpat Jail amid tight security arrangements. The court also awarded him life imprisonment alongside a seven-year jail term and slapped a fine of Rs 3.2 million. Zainab's father thanked the judiciary and the government for giving his family speedy justice. However, he demanded a public execution of the convict.

Under the law, the death sentence given to Imran would not be executed unless it is confirmed by a Lahore High Court division bench comprising two judges. The trial court would send a reference to the LHC along with all record of the case, the order said. The ATC had reserved its verdict on February 15 after the prosecution and defence completed their arguments following a four-day hearing conducted on daily basis in compliance with the directives of the Supreme Court and LHC.

It is for the first time in the country's judicial history that a court has completed trial in seven days. It is pertinent to mention that the court completed the whole trial and recorded all the evidence after the convict recorded his confession.

The death sentence was handed down to Imran on four counts under different provisions, including Section 364-A of Pakistan Penal Code (Kidnapping or abducting a person under the age of 14), Section 376 (committing rape), Section 302-B (punishment of Qatl-i-Amd) and Section 7(a) of ATA 1997 (causing fear and terror in the area). The court has also awarded life imprisonment to Imran under Section 377 (Unnatural offences) of PPC and a fine of Rs 1 million. In case of default, the convict will face more six months of jail term. Moreover, a seven-year imprisonment has also been given to Imran under PPC 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender).

Legal experts believe that modern methods like DNA and polygraph tests were used to find the truth, which would pave the way for future investigation. Zainab was abducted on January 4 from near her aunt’s house in Kasur where she was going to learn the Holy Quran. Her body was recovered from a heap of garbage near her house on January 9.

Earlier, the Punjab police showed its conventional behaviour and didn’t bother to investigate the matter. But after some time, pressure started to build through social and mainstream media, resulting in launching investigation. The police collected DNA samples of 1,187 people from January 12 to January 23 to trace the accused. The DNA samples were collected of people between 22 to 40 years of age. First six streets near Zainab’s house were marked to get DNA samples from people of the aforementioned age bracket.

On January 20, the forensic revealed that the DNA sample of one person had matched. A polygraph test of the accused was also conducted which established his involvement in Zainab’s murder. On January 25, the then LHC chief justice Mansoor Ali Shah ordered to conclude trial in seven days after submission of challan.

On February 13, Imran had confessed to murdering and raping Ayesha Asif age 7; Eman Fatima, age 7; Noor Fatima age 7; Laiba Saleem age 7; Zainab Amin age 7 and others.