Shahzeb Khan murder case: SC displeased on IG Sindh's absence

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry expressed his displeasure over the absence of Inspector General Sindh Fayyaz Leghari in the Shahzeb Khan’s murder case, youth who was gunned down in Karachi on December 25, Geo News reported Friday.

The Chief Justice had summoned IG Sindh by noon today but he did not appear in the court.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, while taking suo moto notice of the brutal murder of Shahzeb Khan, had issued notice to the AG and PPO to appear in person today and ordered to submit a report in the case.

During today’ hearing, the CJ expressed annoyance when the IG Sindh Police did not appear before the bench despite court orders. He said that the police had been asked to arrest the killers and present them in the court five days ago. The CJ also alleged that IG Sindh is deliberately not appearing before the court, and then warned him to apprehend the murderers by evening or be prepared to give up his position.

On this, Additional IG Sindh apprised the bench that efforts are underway to catch the culprits.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, then, summoned IG Sindh to appear in the court by noon.

The CJ continued saying that the matter has caught international attention and people are protesting against the incident. He said that a pooor child is killed and police doesn’t take any action due to pressures from the influential people.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry also ordered to arrest the aides who helped the accused to escape.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed remarked that a serious crime has occurred in the city and the police is still sleeping over the matter.

The chief justice took notice of the brutal murder on a note initiated by the office, based on press clippings carrying story regarding the brutal murder of 20-year-old Shahzeb Khan who was gunned down in Karachi ten days ago and police failed to make any progress due to immense political pressure.

The killing mobilised hundreds of the people against unquestioned authority that people with political connection enjoy in the country and gathered outside Karachi Press Club carrying banners and requesting the honourable chief justice of Pakistan for taking suo moto action in the matter for arrest of the accused.

After going through the official note the chief justice directed that that the note be treated as petition under Article 184(3) of the Constitution as it involves violation of the fundamental rights, envisaged under Article 9 of the Constitution and large number of citizens are feeling insecure at the hands of influential persons, who are allegedly involved in the commission of crimes and as stated those persons are politically connected with influential personalities, therefore, no action under the law, seems to have been taken by the law enforcing agencies.

The chief justice while issuing notices to advocate general and IGP, Sindh directed them to appear in person and submit report as to whether FIR in the instant case has been registered and the accused involved in the commission of crime have been arrested. If not, what are the reasons and who is responsible for the same? The chief justice further directed to fix the case in the court today.

Also, activists gathered outside Pakistan High Commission in London on Thursday afternoon to demand justice for Shahzeb.

The protest was organised by the young activists of Pakistan who carried posters calling on Pakistani authorities to take action against the killers who remain at large after gunning down the 20-year-old youth who was returning from his sister’s wedding. They were carrying placards which read “Justice we demand”, “justice for Shahzeb Khan”, “justice for all innocents who have been killed brutally”, “change we need”, “justice delayed is justice denied”, and “stand up for your rights”.