Zahra Mehek’s lawyer pins his hopes on reversal of age decree
ISLAMABAD: The defense council for Zahra Mehek, one of the alleged murderers of two girls, including a minor, has decided in principal to drag the case to the high court level, a fresh appeal, the copy of which was seen by The Spokesman, has stated. The appeal challenging the Sessions Court’s decision about Mehek being an adult will be moved in Islamabad High Court on Monday.
Meanwhile, the police are still waiting court orders to exhume the bodies Shahzadi Bibi and Sawera Hakim, the victims of Zahra Mehek and Ibrar Qazi.
On the other hand, during the hearing on Saturday of the twin murders case in the Sessions Court, the prosecutor’s counsel Raja Rizwan Abbasi presented two more witnesses against the two accused. The defense councils, advocates Hashmat Habeeb and Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, did not appear. However, they submitted an application through their representative, stating that the case would move further if the age of Zahra Mehek was verified through her birth certificate and educational documents.
“The council will challenge the court’s orders declaring Mehek an adult through a medical examination,” the application stated. The court adjourned the case until Monday, April 8.
Advocate Hashmat Habeeb later told The Spokesman, “The defense council has six evidences, including her NADRA record, her birth certificate and educational documents, to prove that the accused is a juvenile. These documents have also been attached with the fresh application. The court’s decision in which Mehek was declared an adult is strange. We will challenge the court’s decision in Islamabad High Court on Monday.”
The prosecution’s lawyer Raja Rizwan Abbasi said that the court has charged Zahra Mehek and Ibrar Qazi under sections 376 (for raping the victims) and 496-B (for having sexual relations before marriage) on his request.
Earlier, the defense council had requested the court to treat the accused Zahra Mehek as a juvenile, but the application was challenged by the prosecutor which requested to declare the accused an adult and charge under two more charges for raping the diseased and having sexual relations before marriage. The court then by accepting the request of persecutor had ordered to examine the age of Zahra Mehek medically. The medical report conducted by a four member’s medical board of poly clinic hospital reported after her medical examination reported that the accused is not less than 20 years old.
Meanwhile, the police are still waiting court orders to exhume the bodies Shahzadi Bibi and Sawera Hakim, the victims of Zahra Mehek and Ibrar Qazi.
On the other hand, during the hearing on Saturday of the twin murders case in the Sessions Court, the prosecutor’s counsel Raja Rizwan Abbasi presented two more witnesses against the two accused. The defense councils, advocates Hashmat Habeeb and Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, did not appear. However, they submitted an application through their representative, stating that the case would move further if the age of Zahra Mehek was verified through her birth certificate and educational documents.
“The council will challenge the court’s orders declaring Mehek an adult through a medical examination,” the application stated. The court adjourned the case until Monday, April 8.
Advocate Hashmat Habeeb later told The Spokesman, “The defense council has six evidences, including her NADRA record, her birth certificate and educational documents, to prove that the accused is a juvenile. These documents have also been attached with the fresh application. The court’s decision in which Mehek was declared an adult is strange. We will challenge the court’s decision in Islamabad High Court on Monday.”
The prosecution’s lawyer Raja Rizwan Abbasi said that the court has charged Zahra Mehek and Ibrar Qazi under sections 376 (for raping the victims) and 496-B (for having sexual relations before marriage) on his request.
Earlier, the defense council had requested the court to treat the accused Zahra Mehek as a juvenile, but the application was challenged by the prosecutor which requested to declare the accused an adult and charge under two more charges for raping the diseased and having sexual relations before marriage. The court then by accepting the request of persecutor had ordered to examine the age of Zahra Mehek medically. The medical report conducted by a four member’s medical board of poly clinic hospital reported after her medical examination reported that the accused is not less than 20 years old.
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