Zainab’s killer gets death 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 life imprisonment plus seven-year jail term and slapped a fine of Rs 3.2 million on him.

Zainab's father, after announcement of the verdict, thanked judiciary and the government for giving his family speedy justice. However, he demanded for 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 (LHC) 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 Supreme Court and LHC.

In is the first in the judicial history of the country that a court has completed trial in seven days. The anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) were set up in 1997 for speedy trials to curb terrorism wave in the country. Under Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), a trial should be concluded in seven days but it was never materialised previously during the last 21 years.

Death sentence has been handed down to Imran on four counts under different provisions of law, 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).

It is pertinent to mention that the court has completed the whole trial procedure and recorded all the evidence even after the convict recorded his confessional statement.

Legal experts believe that modern methods like DNA and polygraph tests were used in the case to find the truth, which would pave the way for future investigation.

Zainab was abducted on January 4 from nearby her aunt’s house in Kasur where she was going to learn 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 in a bid to hunt the actual accused. Meanwhile, the census data the locality was also used. 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 of aforementioned ages.

On January 20, more than 155 DNA samples were collected and the forensic revealed the sample of one person had matched. On January 23, the forensic examination confirmed it was Imran who was arrested on the same day.

While in police custody, his dress and walking style were examined. He was then matched with the sketch made by the department concerned.

On January 24, Imran was produced before the ATC where the judge handed him over to the JIT on 4-day physical remand. The investigation officer (IO) had contended that the DNA of the accused had matched with Zainab.

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 6, he was sent on three-day physical remand for raping and murdering seven other minor girls.

On February 8, the physical remand was extended for two days, as the IO contended that they wanted to take the case to its logical end.

On February 9, Imran was produced before ATC which decided to hold the trial in jail owing to security issues.

The prosecutor submitted a list of 56 witnesses before the court. Advocate Mehar Shakeel Multani submitted his power of attorney on the behalf of Imran. February 10 was fixed for first jail trial proceedings.

On February 10, the court handed over challan’s copies to the accused counsel during held in Lot Lakhpat Jail, while February 12 was fixed for framing charges against the accused.

On February 12, the judge asked Imran whether he accepts the charges, but he pleaded not guilty, after which the court indicted him in the case and started regular proceedings. The prosecution presented more than 10 witnesses before the court and more prosecution witnesses were summoned for February 13.

On February 13, Imran confessed to murdering and raping Ayesha Asif age 7, dead body found on January 7, 2017; Eman Fatima, age 7, February 24, 2017; Noor Fatima age 7, April 11 2017; Laiba Saleem age 7, July 8, 2017; Zainab Amin age 7, January 4, 2017 and others.

Imran also admitted his involvement in killing and raping seven-year-old Eman Fatima. It is pertinent to mention that the police allegedly shot and killed Mudassir in a fake encounter on February 25, 2017 in the Eman Fatima case.

Mudassir’s mother had alleged that SSP Ali Nasir Rizvi and DSP Mirza Arif Rasheed were involved in staging the fake encounter.

On February 14, the ATC judge recorded the statement of accused and directed the lawyers of both sides to come up with arguments. Meanwhile, accused counsel Mehr Shakeel decided not to plead the case after his confessional statement. Later, another lawyer Muhammad Sultan became his counsel.

A three-member prosecution team led by Abdul Rauf Wattoo assisted the court. The statements of 33 witnesses were recorded during the proceedings, including Zainab’s uncle and brother. On February 15, the judge reserved the decision and announced it on February 17 (Saturday).