Pakistan court sentences mobile phone thief who killed Karachi teenager to death
ISLAMABAD: A court in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi this week sentenced a defendant to death for the 2018 killing of a teenager who was resisting a robbery.
Additional District Judge Amiruddin on Saturday sentenced Shakoor Khan to death for shooting dead Sajid Hussain, 21, on September 25, 2018, after he resisted attempts to snatch his mobile phone.
According to the prosecution, Hussain was sitting with some friends outside his house in Karachi’s Baldia Town area when Khan and his accomplice Shoukat attempted to rob him. Hussain resisted and a scuffle ensued after which Khan shot him in the chest and fled with his accomplice. Hussain died of his injuries on the way to hospital.
“The defendant intentionally fired a shot at close range at the victim when he and his accomplice were resisting the robbery of his cell phone,” the judge’s order read.
The court noted that eyewitness testimony, police investigation of the crime scene and medical evidence all supported the prosecution’s case.
“Given these circumstances, the death penalty is an appropriate punishment as a necessary measure to deter heinous crimes such as robbery-murder and ensure that justice is meted out,” the order said.
Karachi, a megacity of 20 million people that is home to the stock exchange and central bank, has been plagued by armed violence for decades. The city’s murder rate has fallen since 2013 thanks to violent operations against armed gangs and suspected militants by the police, paramilitary Rangers and the military, backed by intelligence agencies, but since last year street crime has been on the rise again, with robberies and shootings during robbery once again making daily headlines.
The judge ordered Khan to pay Rs 300,000 in compensation. [$1080] The judge also sentenced the accused to 20 years in prison for violating Sections 397 (robbery or robbery, attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 392 (punishment for robbery) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
But the judge said he had the right to appeal the conviction.
The court noted that Karachi, once a vibrant city and the country’s commercial capital, now suffers from an “alarming spike” in crime rates, particularly snatch thefts and robberies, which often coincide with murder.
This spike in crime not only affects the sense of safety of the city’s residents but also tarnishes Karachi’s long-standing reputation as a thriving urban centre, the report said.
“Stringent measures to curb crime are essential and emphasis should be placed on speedy and fair trial in cases of robbery and snatching within the judicial system,” the court noted.
“Appropriate and timely application of penalties will serve as a strong deterrent to potential offenders.”
