The detention of Sara Sharif’s family members for questioning in connection with her murder investigation—a case that has attracted both national and international attention—was rejected by the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi bench.
On August 10, Sara Sharif’s body was discovered in her Woking, Surrey, home. Her father, Urfan Sharif, his partner, Beinash Batool, and his brother, Faisal Malik, who had all left for Pakistan prior to the discovery of her body, were sought after by authorities worldwide after Surrey Police opened a murder investigation after discovering her body.
The young girl had sustained “multiple and extensive injuries” over a prolonged period, according to the preliminary results of the post-mortem examination, which increased the urgency of the investigation.
Two of Malik’s brothers were taken into custody by the Jehlum Police during the manhunt. The Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench then received a petition protesting their detention.
The petitioners claimed that the Jhelum police were harassing them by repeatedly interrogating Malik Irfan during a hearing on a complaint against the Jhelum Police.
“Malik Irfan came to Pakistan from the UK, but there is no information about him,” the statement claimed.
It should be noted that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistani police, and Interpol are all collaborating to find the fugitives. At Interpol’s request, Jhelum Police are questioning the family members.
Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan decided after hearing the arguments that the police could not detain the accused’s father and brothers for questioning.
“Family members of the accused should not be detained for questioning,” he argued.
