Multiple murder case: PHC rejects bail plea

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday dismissed the bail petition of a man and his son who were accused of killing a police official and his two wives in Mardan.

PHC Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard the bail petition of the accused Bashir and his son Ishaq. They had allegedly killed a police official Shehzad along with his two wives, Nazia and Madina, in their home in the Sheikh Maltoon Town in Mardan on July 21, 2024.

The court was informed that Bashir’s daughter Madina had married Shehzad against the consent of her father. Shehzad was already married and Madina was his second wife.The accused, Bashir and his son Ishaq, allegedly shot and killed Shehzad along with his two wives, Nazia and Medina. The accused had moved the court to seek bail, which was rejected.

During the proceedings, the PHC chief justice remarked that “no one can be issued a license to kill in the name of honour.”The defense counsel argued that Bashir and Ishaq had reached reconciliation with Shehzad and the murder accusations were baseless and lacked evidence.

The lawyer representing the accused requested the court to grant them bail.However, the complainant’s lawyer, Asfandyar Advocate, contested these claims, explaining that the primary witness to the incident was an eight-year-old girl who also sustained injuries in the firing.The lawyer said the accused had earlier posted a video, claiming responsibility for the murders.