Dubai: A proposal to settle the case
involving 17 Indians, who have appealed the death penalty for killing a Pakistani in Sharjah has been refused, according to
the lawyer representing the defendants.
The family of the Pakistani man told the court that
they were ready to accept compensation including blood money
but we refused because justice is on our side, Bindu Suresh
Chettur said after court hearing late Thursday.
"The prosecution has failed to establish the
relationship between the offence, weapon with which crime was
committed and the scene of the crime. No evidence has yet been
brought before us," she said.
According to her, evidence cannot be accepted in the
light that no weapon has yet been presented before the court
as evidence.
"It is the duty of the prosecution to establish that
the weapon which was used to commit the crime is present
before the court. That hasn't happened despite several
hearings," she said.
The court has fixed February 17 as the next date for
hearing during which more witnesses have been asked to remain
present.
In January 2009, a bootlegging dispute between an
Indian and Pakistani group reportedly over territorial rights
had led to the death of a Pakistani national Misri Nazir Khan
near a Sharjah labour camp. Seventeen Indians were arrested
and sentenced to death.
During the previous hearing, on December 17, the
defense was prepared to cross-examine the evidence that the
prosecution was to bring to the court but that didn't
materialize.
Instead a CD containing the reconstruction of the
scene of the crime was provided. However, the police officials
that were supposed to be present in the court did not show up.
The court has asked the prosecution to ensure the
presence of witnesses, including an Sharjah police personnel
who prepared the report which formed the basis of conviction.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, January 01, 2011, 00:10