Zainab's case: SC orders fool-proof security for accused

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued directives to Punjab Police chief and prison authorities to provide complete security to Mohammad Imran, the 'murderer' of minor Zainab in Kasur. Chief Justice Saqib Nisar took notice on Wednesday night over a television anchor's programme. Resuming the hearing of the matter, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar asked the anchor, Dr Shahid Masood, that he had made some 'revelations' in his TV talk show and sought tight security for the accused.
The Chief Justice observed if allegations are correct then it is fine; however, he left the sentence incomplete after saying if allegations are proved incorrect. After that a video of his talk show was played in the courtroom. In his programme, the anchor claimed; "Accused Imran is no insane or fool. There are 37 bank accounts of Imran, and out of them mostly are the foreign currency accounts. The accused has the backing of some influential persons."
Later, the Chief Justice inquired from Masood whether he had anything additional besides what he had mentioned in his programme. The anchor replied in the affirmative; to which the Chief Justice said since the accused is in police custody the Punjab police are responsible for his protection and if he is sent to jail then IG Prison will be responsible for his security.
The Chief Justice also directed the anchor to hand over to the court a list of 37 bank accounts of Imran to Additional Advocate General Punjab, Asma Hamid, for verification. The anchor submitted that he got this information during his Middle East visit, saying he got full details of the accused bank accounts. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar observed the court will go into the depth of the matter after which all the facts of the case would come to surface. The Chief Justice ordered the court assistant to give a piece of paper and pen to Masood. The anchor wrote the names of persons allegedly involved in this crime, folded it and gave it to the Chief Justice.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar said while addressing the anchor that this is his trust in the court and the bench will keep his paper safe. Dictating the order, the bench issued directives to Joint Investigation Team in the Zainab murder case to inquire the matter in two days and submit a report. Asma Hamid apprised the bench that as soon as that TV programme ended Punjab Chief Minister constituted a six-member investigation team having representatives from State Bank and Intelligence Bureau.