Prosecution in a trial of a kidnapping and murder of an eight-year-old girl pleaded the court to award the death sentence twice to the defendant who, they said, had kidnapped the girl for ransom and later killed her in cold blood.

Defendant Tanveer Ahmed is charged with kidnapping and killing his eight-year-old niece Iqra from Orangi Town on February 25, 2007.

According to the prosecution, the accused kidnapped the girl and demanded Rs500,000 in ransom for her release but when his demand was not met he killed the girl. Police found the headless body of the girl from the Saddar area in Karachi and her head from Mochko.

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Naimat Ali Randhawa, concluding his final arguments, urged the court to hand down capital punishment to the accused who kidnapped and killed his eight-year-old niece. He contended that the prosecution has proved its case against the defendant beyond any shadow of doubt, adding that the prosecution placed 14 witnesses including two eyewitnesses to prove the guilt of the accused.

The defendant, who had confessed his offence before the judicial magistrate, however, denied the prosecution charges.

The ATC after hearing the closing arguments of the SPP, adjourned the hearing for May 7 to hear the arguments of the defendant’s counsel.

Meanwhile, the ATC headed by Abdul Ghafoor Memon adjourned the hearing of a kidnapping for ransom case after recording the statements of the witnesses.

Sheraz Ahmed and SI Khadim Hussain Nizamani are charged with kidnapping Nasir Hussain and his brother-in-law Artaza Khan for ransom. The defendants, however, denied the charges.

According to the prosecution, complainant Sakina Nasir alleged that Sheraz in connivance with co-accused Sub-Inspector Khadim Hussain Nizamani of Ladoyan police station had kidnapped her spouse Nasir and brother Artaza on August 19, 2006, and compelled them to sign some papers regarding the transfer of their property and vehicle and also demanded ransom for their release.