Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court Judge Justice Dost Muhammad Khan on Thursday harshly rebuked the Shariat law in place in Swat.

The judge was presiding over a three member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) during the hearing into a murder case which had taken place in Swat on November 25.

Counsel for the accused in the case, Babar Awan, said that his clients had been accused of killing one Muhammad Farooq, over a property dispute.

During the hearing, Justice Dost remarked that “Such type of Shariat is enforced in Swat wherein mother, sister and daughter is not included in the share of inheritance. An enemy does not meet his enemy on the occasion of Eid.”

He also criticized the policing in the valley, remarking that the police’s investigations were an impediment in the way to justice. He added, “Police can detect what is truth and what is lie if it wills so. When investigation is blind then the accused would be released.”

The judge also called into question the reliability of law enforcement forces in the area, saying “police come to know after ten hours of registration of case that who are guilty and who are innocent. Due to wrong investigation police have not remained trustworthy for courts anymore.”

The case was adjourned with the court accepting the bail plea of suspect Javed Ahmad against surety bonds of Rs 100,000 and two personal securities, while dismissing the petition of suspect Amanullah, who took his bail plea back.

The pleas of the two accused in the case had already been dismissed from the lower courts which had subsequently led to a final appeal in the apex court.