Chakwal (Samandar Khan): A two-judge bench of the Lahore High Court (Rawalpindi Bench) on Tuesday acquitted a man earlier convicted in the Komal Shehzadi murder case. The decision triggered strong protests from the victim’s family and residents of Chakwal.
The accused, Asad, known locally as “Brigadier,” walked free after a brief hearing. The bench overturned the conviction handed down by Additional Sessions Judge Jahangir Ali Gondal. The sessions court had previously sentenced Asad to death on two counts and imposed a fine of Rs1 million.
Komal, a seven-year-old girl, was abducted on January 27, 2024. The next day, locals found her body in nearby fields. Dhumman Police Station Chakwal registered the case. Prosecutors alleged that Asad, a neighbor involved in a dispute with the victim’s maternal uncle, strangled the child and then cut her throat in a brutal manner.
The High Court cited major flaws in the prosecution’s evidence and the absence of eyewitness testimony. According to court documents, the bench ruled that gaps in the record made it unsafe to uphold a death sentence. Legal experts noted that the judgment has once again highlighted the challenges of proving criminal responsibility in sensitive cases.
Speaking to reporters after the verdict, Komal’s mother expressed her grief and anger. Surrounded by civil society members and local residents, she called the decision a miscarriage of justice. The family appealed to Army Chief General Asim Munir, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Prime Minister, and the Punjab Chief Minister to intervene and ensure justice.
Protesters who gathered in Chakwal voiced solidarity with the bereaved family. They urged authorities to review the case and emphasized that justice in the Komal Shehzadi murder case was essential for restoring faith in the judicial system.
So far, police and prosecution officials have not announced whether they will pursue an appeal against the High Court’s decision. Families and rights activists, however, continue to demand accountability and stronger legal reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.
