The Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday delivered its verdict on appeals in the Tipu Truckanwala murder case.
Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim issued a nine-page detailed ruling. The SC upheld the life imprisonment of the main accused, Khurram Ijaz. All petitions challenging the earlier verdict were dismissed.
The court confirmed the Lahore High Court’s decision, which had converted Khurram Ijaz’s death sentence to life imprisonment in October 2019. Terrorism charges against him were also removed.
Co-accused Syed Ahsan Shah’s acquittal was upheld. The court noted his name was not listed in the FIR and said the benefit of doubt justified his release.
The SC clarified that the murder of Tipu Truckanwala was driven by personal enmity, not terrorism. The ruling emphasized that committing a murder in a public place alone does not constitute terrorism. The prosecution failed to prove a concrete motive, which is necessary for a death sentence.
Case Background
On January 20, 2010, Tipu Truckanwala, also known as Arif Ameer, was shot at the parking area of Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, shortly after arriving from Dubai on PIA Flight PK-204.
Tipu was being received by companions, including Amir Mughal, Sabz Ali, and Ahsan Ullah Jalali. Around 7:35 p.m., Khurram Ijaz allegedly opened fire at Tipu as he approached a vehicle. Tipu was injured in the attack.
Ahsan Ullah Jalali overpowered Khurram Ijaz and seized the pistol, while another co-accused fled the scene. The injured Tipu was rushed to Mayo Hospital for treatment.
Khurram Ijaz later claimed that Tipu was supporting the killers of his brother. In May 2011, an anti-terrorism court had sentenced him to death twice. These sentences were later converted to life imprisonment by the Lahore High Court.
The Supreme Court’s verdict reiterates the legal principle that a murder must have proven motive for a death penalty. The case closes a decade-long legal battle, confirming Khurram Ijaz’s life imprisonment while fully acquitting Ahsan Shah.
This ruling reinforces the SC’s stance on fair trials, the importance of evidence, and the application of terrorism laws only in appropriate cases.
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