LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court in Lahore awarded convict Imran Ali death sentence on four counts in Zainab murder case here on Saturday.
The death penalties were for kidnapping, raping, murdering the six-year-old girl, Zainab, and one for committing an act of terrorism. The convict has 15 days to challenge the verdict and file an appeal.
Zainab’s father, Haji Muhammad Amin, witnessed the verdict in Kot Lakhpat jail and expressed satisfaction over it. Zainab’s rape and murder last month sparked protests across the country. It also sparked riots in Kasur, in which two people were killed.
ATC-I Judge Sajjad Ahmad reserved the verdict Thursday after recording all evidences. A total of 56 witnesses, including Zainab’s uncle and brother, recorded their statements against the accused. The forensic report and polygraph test also proved against the accused.
Zainab was kidnapped in Kasur on January 4 and was found dead in a garbage dump after five days of kidnapping. On January 23, the police arrested accused Imran.