Karachi: The legal counsel for the suspect in the Karsaz road accident has challenged the judicial magistrate’s decision to dismiss a bail petition related to drug charges. On Monday, the lawyer submitted an appeal to the sessions court, arguing that pivotal evidence had been overlooked by the magistrate in the earlier decision.
The suspect, involved in a tragic accident on August 19 in Karachi that claimed two lives and injured two others, has reportedly been pardoned by the victims’ families. Despite this, she remains entangled in legal proceedings due to her alleged use of drugs at the time of the incident.
Following the accident, law enforcement officials confirmed that methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth, was found in the suspect’s blood and urine samples. The police, as stated by Geo News on August 31, have lodged a separate case against her on these grounds.
Blood and urine samples were collected from the suspect by the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) immediately after the incident. Based on a fresh report from the medico-legal officer (MLO), the police incorporated a section pertaining to the use of prohibited substances into the case.
Details of the Incident
The accident occurred near the Pakistan Maritime Museum on August 19, when the suspect’s luxury vehicle crashed into multiple cars. The collision resulted in the deaths of 26-year-old Aamna Arif and her 60-year-old father, Imran Arif. Others injured in the incident were taken to JPMC for treatment, where one remains in critical condition.
According to law enforcement officials, the suspect sustained a head injury during the crash and underwent a CT scan at JPMC. She claimed that her car went out of control while driving on the service road near Karsaz, leading to the accident.
Victims’ Families Pardon the Suspect
In a significant development, the heirs of the victims officially pardoned the suspect on September 6, submitting a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the court. The family stated that the accident was not intentional and that they had forgiven the suspect for the sake of God. The NOC was presented to the court during a hearing on the suspect’s bail plea, signed by Imran Arif’s son, wife, and daughter.
Bail Granted to the Suspect
The additional district and sessions judge east granted bail to the suspect against a surety bond of Rs 100,000. Additionally, the interim bail of Danish Iqbal, the suspect’s husband, was confirmed with a surety bond of Rs 50,000.
The complainant, Imtiaz Arif, Imran’s brother, and the lawyer representing the injured parties were present in court during the hearing. The suspect’s lawyer argued that she had been suffering from mental illness since 2005 and held a valid UK driving license, which is recognized in Pakistan for six months. The court was informed that all disputes had been settled, and the suspect had been forgiven by the heirs of the victims without any external pressure.
This case, marked by tragedy and legal complexities, continues to unfold as the suspect navigates the consequences of both the accident and the drug charges.
