SC turns down request to suspend SHC verdict in Daniel Pearl murder case

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday turned down a request to suspend the operation of the Sindh High Court (SHC) verdict in the American journalist Daniel Pearl murder case.

A three-member bench of the apex court was hearing appeals filed by the Sindh government and the parents of the killed journalist Daniel Pearl challenging the SHC’s April 2 verdict that overturned the sentences of four convicts in the murder case.

A member of the bench, Justice Manzor Malik, remarked that the American journalist’s kidnapping needs to be proven first with the help of evidence that must show the person kidnapped was Daniel Pearl.

The Sindh government claimed that a plot to kidnap the deceased was hatched in Rawalpindi, the judge said, adding the claim should also be substantiated through proofs.

Justice Malik further said the apex court will analyse whether the identification parade of the convicts and confessional statements were in accordance with the relevant laws.

Earlier, The Sindh government has challenged SHC’s order for acquittal and release of prisoners in the Daniel Pearl murder case in the Top Court.

The SHC on April 2 had commuted the death sentence awarded to Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh – convicted for kidnapping and murdering US journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002 – to seven years and acquitted three others who were serving life terms – almost two decades after they were found guilty and jailed.