Prosecution submits challan in Zainab murder case

LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday sent accused Imran Ali to jail on 14-day judicial remand following submission of challan (Challan-Sheet) by the prosecution in Zainab murder case.

Earlier, the police produced the accused before ATC-I Judge Sheikh Sajjad Ahmad amid strict security in a special vehicle.

Deputy Prosecutor General Abdul Rauf apprised the court that the police had completed its investigation from the accused and collected the evidence.

He asked the court to sent the accused to jail on judicial remand as his physical custody was no longer required. The court was further requested to hold the trial in jail due to security issues.

The prosecution also submitted a copy of the challan wherein the accused was declared guilty. The prosecution had submitted a list of 55 witnesses.

At this, the court sent the accused to jail on 14-day judicial remand and announced to hold the trial in Kot Lakhpat jail.

A defence lawyer also submitted his power of attorney on behalf of the accused and contended that all allegations leveled against him were false during the hearing.

According to prosecution sources, the court would held the first hearing on February 10 in kot Lakhpat jail and a copy of the challan would be given to the accused. However, the formal trial would commence from Monday (February 12) and it would be concluded within seven days as per directions of the Lahore High Court, says prosecution.

On January 24, the accused Imran Ali was initially remanded to police custody for 14-day in the Zainab case. The court not only extended the remand for another two days in the case but also had given three days remand in rape and murder cases of seven other children in Kasur. On Friday, the accused was presented on expiry of remand in all cases.

It is pertinent to mention that the prosecution had not yet filed challan in the seven cases.

Seven-year-old Zainab was kidnapped on January 4 from near her aunt's house in Kasur. Her body was discovered five days later from a garbage heap. The post-mortem report revealed that she had been raped and murdered.

On January 23, the Punjab government formally announced the arrest of the accused after his DNA matched with the samples collected from the scene.