Daily Times

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Wednesday issued notices to the prosecution and defence on an application seeking transfer of trial regarding the murder of Samia Shahid, a British Pakistani woman who was rapped and killed in the name of honour.

The chief justice sought replies from the respondents till November 4. The petitioner, who is also the complainant of his wife’s murder, approached the court requesting it to transfer the trial from Jehlum to Lahore due to threats faced by him and other witnesses. The petitioner stated that the prosecution had submitted a challan against the suspects before additional district and sessions’ judge Ambreen Qureshi in Jhelum. However, he added, the suspects were in a position to hamper the dispensation of justice.

He stated that witnesses as well as relatives of the deceased were facing threats from the accused, adding that the accused were influential people constantly asking the witnesses to leave Pakistan.

He stated that a joint investigation team (JIT) in this murder had also recommended the case to be transferred to Lahore. He said that the JIT had recommended that it was a case of honour killing and the government should direct the prosecution department to closely monitor the case and try its best to obtain conviction of the accused.

He stated that the atmosphere at Jehlum was not congenial for trial, as the accused enjoyed great influence there, adding that the witnesses were under constant threat and there was a great apprehension that justice would not be served under the prevailing circumstances.

The petitioner stated that if the trial were held in Lahore, the prosecution would be in a much better position to supervise the proceedings closely, adding that evidences for the case would also be recorded without any undue influence. “Trial will not be entertained fairly and justly at Jehlum,” he mentioned.

The petitioner requested to transfer the challan of the accused from Jehlum to Lahore in the interest of justice, fairness and equity.

Samia Shahid, a dual national, had died in July this year when she had come from England to see her ailing father in Jhelum. Family of the deceased claimed that Samia died of natural causes but her husband alleged that her family, in the name of honour, had murdered her.

Mangla Police on July 23 had registered a case in this case and later arrested Samia’s father Muhammad Shahid and first husband Muhammad Shakeel, who also happened to be her cousin. The police also charged Shakeel for raping the victim. Samia’s mother and sister, also nominated suspects, escaped abroad.