KARACHI: A judge in Pakistan yesterday sentenced the son of a powerful businessman to death for murdering a young man in a case that prompted public outrage and a Supreme Court intervention.
Shahrukh Jatoi, whose father is said to be close to President Asif Ali Zardari, was convicted along with accomplice Siraj Talpur of killing the son of a senior police officer in Karachi in December.
Jatoi’s family used their influence to stop police registering a murder case initially, until street protests and a social media campaign led to the chief justice taking notice and ordering an investigation.
Judge Mustafa Memon passed the death sentences and jailed two other accomplices for life.
“The judge awarded Shahrukh Jatoi and Siraj Talpur with the death sentence and half a million rupees fine to each convict,” Abdul Maroof, the public prosecutor said.
The court heard that Jatoi and his accomplices chased and shot Shahzeb Khan to punish him for roughing up their servant who had teased Khan’s sister while returning home from a wedding in an upmarket area of the southern port city.
Jatoi, 20, came out of court on Friday handcuffed but smiling and giving the V for victory sign, as his defence lawyer said they would launch an appeal. AFP
