ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court was informed on Wednesday that red warrant of Mujahidullah Afridi, an absconding prime suspect in the killing of Asma Rani, was issued and he will soon be arrested. A three-member Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, directed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police to accelerate efforts to nab the accused and keep the court update on the case. Appearing on notice, KP’s Deputy Advocate General Abdul Latif Yousafzai told the court that Interpol had issued the red warrants for the accused and he would soon be arrested. He said Interpol had placed the accused on its most-wanted list. Asma Rani, a third-year medical student in Abbottabad, was in her hometown in Kohat on vacations, when, on January 27, Mujahidullah Afridi allegedly opened fire on her for turning down his marriage proposal. Mujahidullah left the country after the incident. During the hearing, a paternal uncle of accused Mujahidullah told the court that the father of the accused, who is abroad, had been contacted about the matter and he had assured of his full cooperation in the matter. “Action would be taken against you if you try to influence the investigation or otherwise”, the chief justice asked him. Aftab Alam, an uncle of the accused, is district president of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Kohat. The chief justice noted that a fugitive comes under the grip of law sooner or later, adding that law does not allow any pardon or mercy for a person fugitive of law. The court directed that a report must be furnished after the arrest of the accused and adjourned the hearing for a month. Separately, the Supreme Court wrapped up on Wednesday the hearing on murder case of four-year-old Asma, who was raped and murdered in Mardan. The court directed authorities concerned to file a charge sheet against the accused within 10 days, and wrapped up the case. Accused Nabi, who has been arrested by KP police, is said to be a 15-year-old boy who works at a local restaurant. He is also a relative of the killed minor. Addressing a news conference following Nabi’s arrest, Mardan Regional Police Officer Dr Mian Saeed said that the case was resolved by tracing a drop of blood on a leaf in the sugarcane field where the minor was killed. The RPO said that fingerprint traces of the suspect were found on the neck of the deceased, and the weapon used for the crime has also been recovered. He added that the suspect attempted sexual assault on the four-year-old in the sugarcane field but the minor resisted by shouting for help. In reaction, Nabi killed the minor by strangulating her. Asma was reported missing from the Gujjar Garhi area in Mardan on January 13, and recovered dead the next day from the nearby sugarcane fields. The CJP took suo motu notice of the incident after DNA test confirmed the child was raped before she was killed. Published in Daily Times, February 22nd 2018.