Mustafa Kanju, four guards sent on physical remand

LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court Judge Rai Ayub Marth on Friday handed over Mustafa Kanju, son of former Minister of Foreign Affairs Siddique Kanju and his four guards to police on eight-day physical remand, accused of killing a 17-year-old orphan boy.
On Friday, South Cantt police produced prime suspect Muhammad Mustafa Kanju and his guards, including Sadiq Amin alias Saadat, Asif Rehman, Saadullah and Ikram before the court of said judge. The police pleaded that it had to carry out initial investigation along with recovering weapon of murder. The police implored the court to grant 10 days physical remand of said accused.
The judge asked Kanju whether he killed 17-year old Zain or not. On the judge’s query Kanju nodded his head in no, saying that he had not killed anyone. Moreover, Zain was killed in crossfire, Kanju added. Reiterating that he had not killed Zain, Kanju also requested the court that it should be ascertained that who had killed Zain. He said that he was implicated in a forged case by his rival in connivance with local police.
The counsel of the accused Barrister Nawazish submitted to the court that his client was innocent and implicated in false case merely for humiliating and blackmailing though he had nothing to do with the killing of Zain. He said Zain was murdered in crossfire but police put all responsibility on Mustafa Kanju. He implored the court to remove section 7ATA from FIR as it was not the case of 7ATA and the trial should be proceeded in district court rather than the ATC. The judge after hearing both Kanju and his counsel replied that justice would be dispensed on merit and in accordance with the law.
The court has granted 8-day physical remand of the accused, directing police to produce them again by April 11 along with investigation report till that date.Kanju was arrested on Thursday after a case was registered against him under 7-ATA and Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code. He was accused of killing Zain, a 16-year-old orphan, and injuring Hussain, 18. On Wednesday, Kanju was going somewhere on his car bearing number plate LWK-77. As he reached in Street No 04 of Cavalry Ground, his car collided with another car coming from other side.
Following the accident, Kanju and his guards scuffled with the driver of other car. Kanju got furious and resorted to indiscriminate firing. As a result, Zain, 17, a resident of Street 11 of Cavalry Ground and his friend Husnain, who were passing by the road, received bullet wounds, while the driver of the other car managed to flee the scene unhurt. They were rushed to Services Hospital where Zain succumbed to injuries while the condition of Husnain was stated to be critical.