Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence in Gujarat Court Murder Case
ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has upheld the death sentence of Maaf Ali, who killed his wife inside a Gujrat Family Court in 2014, ruling that the act constituted terrorism.
During Monday’s hearing, defense lawyer Salman Safdar argued that applying anti-terrorism laws to a spousal murder case was unjustified.
“How can terrorism clauses be invoked in a case where a man killed his wife?” he asked.
Punjab Prosecutor Mirza Abid Majeed countered that the murder took place inside a courtroom filled with people, intended to create fear and panic.
“There are multiple Supreme Court precedents for applying terrorism charges in such cases,” he said.
Heading the three-member bench, Justice Athar Minallah remarked that killing a woman seeking justice in court qualifies as terrorism. “The convict deserves no leniency,” he added.
Maaf Ali had murdered his wife, Naeema Bibi, after she filed for dissolution of marriage in 2014. A trial court sentenced him to death under anti-terrorism laws, a decision later upheld by the Lahore High Court. The Supreme Court’s ruling now confirms that sentence.
Separate Case: Sindh Judge’s Son Murder Conviction Overturned
In a separate decision, the Supreme Court acquitted Sikandar Lashari and Irfan alias Faheem, who had been sentenced to death for the 2014 murder of Hunain Tariq, son of Sindh High Court judge Khalid Shahani.
A short order by Justice Minallah set aside the convictions from both the trial court and the Sindh High Court, citing weak prosecution and flawed investigation. The detailed judgment is expected to follow.
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