Shahzeb murder case: Shahrukh Jatoi, two others arrested

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Thursday ordered the arrest of the accused Shahrukh Jatoi, Sajjad Talpur and Siraj Talpur in the Shahzeb Khan murder case.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan converted the matter into suo moto notice.

The accused were taken into custody by the Islamabad police.

The bench wondered how Sindh High Court (SHC) discarded the Supreme Court 2013 decision wherein it was mentioned that the case against Shahrukh Jatoi and accused should be conducted before an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).

The apex court ordered SHC to hear an initial plea of the accused to remove death sentence and directed the court to pass a verdict in two months on merit.

The SC also restored anti-terrorism clauses in the case which were earlier removed by the SHC. Dismissing the SHC’s earlier verdict, the SC ordered for names of the accused to remain on Exit Control List.

The chief justice remarked that the victory sign made by Jatoi during one of his initial appearances before the court made a mockery of the judicial system and the people of the country.

He remarked that according to Article 187 of the constitution, the court had the right to ensure justice was provided. He asked whether a settlement could be acceptable in a terrorism case.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa inquired whether a suo moto notice could be taken on the release of suspect at which the accused's counsel said he would welcome a suo moto notice in the case.

"The court will not review the entire case in the suo moto," the chief justice replied.

Latif Khosa, counsel for Jatoi claimed that his client was subjected to oppression as he was kept in a death cell for five years and was not even allowed to give his examinations as he was deemed a dangerous criminal.

He also argued that the court should not accept petitions seeking dismissal of the SHC decision as the justice system would suffer a setback if civil petitioners were allowed an appeal in a criminal case.