Zainab’s killer challenges conviction in LHC

LAHORE: Kasur’s serial killer Imran Ali has filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court challenging his conviction by an anti-terrorism court in Zainab rape and murder case wherein he was sentenced to death on four counts, life imprisonment and also seven-year jail term.

Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Sajjad Ahmad on February 17 announced 85-page judgment at Kot Lakhpat jail in seven-year old child’s case. He awarded him death sentence on four counts, 32-year accumulative imprisonment and Rs3.2 million fine along with Rs1 million as payment of compensation to the victim family.

In his appeal, the convict pleaded himself not guilty and claimed that the trial was conducted in haste and legal requirements were not fulfilled during the trial. He asked the court to overturn the ATC verdict.

Jail officials in their application to the Lahore High Court said: “Kindly find enclosed herewith jail appeal along with attested copy of judgment of un-confirmed prisoner cited as subject for kind perusal of the honourable court.”

“It is further requested to please communicate the appeal number allotted to the captioned jail appeal for completion of the record and satisfaction of the prisoner as well,” said the jail superintendent.

The law provides seven days to the convict to move appeal against his conviction before the Lahore High Court and if the appeal is turned down, then he may approach the country’s top court for redress of his grievances. He may also move mercy appeal before the President of Pakistan.

It was the first case in country’s history wherein the trial concluded in just five days, since its commencement last Saturday, as the decision had already been made on Thursday and was announced two days later. Convict was on trial for murdering Zainab Amin and five other minors last month in Kasur.