Murtaza Bhutto

MURTAZA CASE: WITNESSES SEEK TIME TO
RECORD STATEMENT
KARACHI, Dec. 31, 1996: The witnesses to the killing of Mir Murtaza Bhutto
and seven others could not record their statements under section 164 of the
Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) on Tuesday before the magistrate who put
off the proceedings till Wednesday as the accused in the case sought time for
consulting their counsel.
The court, headed by district magistrate Irfan Ali, started the proceeding for
recording the statements of the witnesses inside the premises of the Central
Prison at 10am which continued for two and a half hours. Except for Asif Ali
Zardari, former investment minister; Syed Abdullah Shah, former Sindh chief
minister; and former SHO of Khokhrapar Inspector Zeeshan Kazmi; all the
accused, including former DIG, Karachi, Dr Shoaib Suddle, were present
before the court. The accused present in the court sought time for consulting
their respective counsel. They also requested the court for the statements of
the witnesses they had given to the police under section 161 of the CrPC. The
court directed the investigation officer of the case to provide copies of the
statements to the accused. As per legal requirements the accused crossexamine
the witnesses when they (witnesses) record their statements under
section 164 CrPC. Sources said Mr Zardari, who is in the judicial custody at
the Landhi jail, was served with a notice to appear before the court but
refused to attend the proceedings. His counsel has submitted some
reservation to the home department regarding his presence at the court being
held in the jail.
They said the court on Tuesday issued a fresh notice to Mr Zardari to appear
before the court on Wednesday when the witnesses would record their
statements. Mr Zardari may be represented by his pleader (counsel) if he does
not want to attend the proceedings, they added.
The 10 witnesses to the killing of Mir Murtaza Bhutto and seven others were
to record their statements on Tuesday before the district magistrate with all
21 accused in the case to be produced together for the first time in the court.
However only five witnesses turned up, who, too, did not record their
statements. Former Sindh chief minister Syed Abdullah Shah, and former
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