In a landmark ruling, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has acquitted a man previously sentenced to life imprisonment for the alleged honor killing of his sister. The court found the prosecution's case to be critically flawed, leading to the overturning of the conviction.
Court Cites Legal Flaws in Police Confession
Justice Amjad Rafiq, in a comprehensive 42-page verdict, accepted the appeal of convict Ayaz Adil. The judge highlighted a fundamental legal issue: confessions made before police officers are not admissible as evidence under prevailing law, except in specific scenarios under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The court strongly recommended that new legislation be considered to make police confessions admissible, but only under strict conditions. These conditions include mandatory video recording and ensuring the entire process is conducted with complete transparency. The verdict contrasted this with systems in developed nations, where institutional trust allows police interviews to be part of the evidence.
Major Investigative Lapses Detailed
The judgment meticulously pointed out severe shortcomings in the investigation conducted by the police and prosecutors:
- The victim's body was reportedly discovered on a charpoy, but this key piece of evidence was never formally taken into custody.
- The alleged murder weapon was never recovered by the investigators.
- Despite the crime scene's courtyard being washed, an empty shell was found near the body under mysterious circumstances.
- The prosecution failed to conclusively prove that the murder even occurred at the presented location, creating a major doubt.
Due to these lapses, the court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, a cornerstone of criminal justice.
Societal Impact and Declining Statistics
Justice Rafiq expressed profound concern over the societal repercussions of failed honor killing prosecutions. The court observed that such failures leave women vulnerable and can embolden potential perpetrators. It also noted that civil proceedings remain a viable legal path for families even after criminal trials conclude.
Citing official police data, the judgment revealed a notable trend: honor killing incidents in Punjab have decreased from 203 cases in 2020 to 96 cases in 2025. While welcoming the decline, the court emphasized the need for robust legal mechanisms to ensure justice in reported cases.
As a forward-looking measure, the LHC issued detailed guidelines for police and prosecutors. These guidelines aim to significantly improve the standards of investigation and evidence collection specifically in honor killing cases, hoping to prevent similar acquittals in the future due to procedural weaknesses.
