June 4, 2023
By Shaukat Korai
KARACHI
Two women have been murdered within court premises in the past five months.
On January 23, 2023, a newlywed woman was gunned down by her father for ‘honour’ within the Karachi City Courts. Hajra, a resident of Baldia, had arrived at the court to record her statement that she had married of her free will. A police constable as well as a passerby were injured in the shooting which claimed the 19-year-old’s life.
On May 26, an Additional Sessions Judge of the Model Criminal Trial Court (South) accepted the applications of the deceased girl’s mother and siblings as well as the two other injured persons under sections 345(2) and 345(6) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr. P. C.) to drop the case on grounds of an out-of-court settlement.
According to the public prosecutor in the case, Hajra’s father was forgiven by his wife and surviving children, leading to his acquittal.
On May 29, 2023, a lawyer shot dead his estranged wife within the chamber of the Judicial Magistrate XII (Central) within the premises of the City Courts. Saima Sahto, a mother of three, had moved the courts for khula, or dissolution of marriage. In the pre-trial hearing of her khula application, accused Sikandar Sahto pulled out a pistol in front of the judge and opened fire on Saima, critically injuring her. She was shifted to the Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi where she died during treatment later that night.
The walls of the City Courts judicial complex are very large, and while there are five large gates at different sides, each gate is equipped with scanning machines. Furthermore, it is prohibited to bring any firearms or lethal weapons within the premises.
President of the Karachi Bar Association Amir Saleem says that in spite of these security measures, the fact that both these incidents came to pass indicates that there were severe security lapses.
“Lapses in security come about due to the police officers stationed at the gates, and previously we had communicated our concerns to them in this regard,”
he tells Voicepk.net. “Furthermore, the scanners are dysfunctional. When someone walks through one, it does not detect any metal on their person.
With regards to the murders, he says that the relevant SSP is on top of things and is even including the sessions judges in the investigation as the May 29 incident occurred within the chambers.
Saleem also agreed that some lawyers do not permit being searched when entering the complex, which is why Sikandar, a practicing lawyer from Islamabad, was able to smuggle the murder weapon into the magistrate’s chambers. However, in light of these incidents, lawyers will be thoroughly checked and all non-functional devices will be replaced.
Saleem also agreed that some lawyers do not permit being searched when entering the complex, which is why Sikandar, a practicing lawyer from Islamabad, was able to smuggle the murder weapon into the magistrate’s chambers. However, in light of these incidents, lawyers will be thoroughly checked and all non-functional devices will be replaced.
He adds that lawyers should be issued passes which contain verification information, while litigants and respondents should be thoroughly checked at the gates before entry.
Sabah Soomro, a leader of the Karachi Bar Association, says that cases like that of Hajra and Saima Sohto are extremely sensitive and special security arrangements should be made for such cases.
Sabah Soomro, a leader of the Karachi Bar Association, says that cases like that of Hajra and Saima Sohto are extremely sensitive and special security arrangements should be made for such cases.
“We request that additional security guards with metal detectors be stationed outside the premises of the family courts so that everyone is thoroughly checked before they enter the court,” she says.
Barrister Amina Usman, a young Karachi-based lawyer pursuing public interest litigation including those pertaining to the rights of women, says that such incidents are a reflection of the mindset that wants to take away the right to live from women.
“People have yet to accept the fact that any woman over the age of 18 has the right to make decisions regarding her life and her property,” she states.
Mehnaz Rehman, a women’s rights activist says courts are to provide justice, and that women are being killed instead of being protected within courts is very alarming.
“Courts are meant to be secure spaces because that is where people go to attain justice. What sort of justice is being done where one has to risk death to seek justice, and is killed for it?” she posits. “Security arrangements are needed for the oppressed and the vulnerable. In my experience, due to the rush at courts, checking is done inadequately.”
Rehman adds that it is the responsibility of the state to provide security to those who knock on the doors of justice.
