SC Rules Deceased’s Eye Condition Not Proof of Unwitnessed Death

News Desk

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled on Tuesday that the condition of a deceased person’s eyes at the time of death cannot definitively indicate that the incident was unwitnessed.

This decision came as the court dismissed petitions challenging the convictions of two men in a double-murder case.

Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, part of a three-member bench led by Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, clarified that the Qanun-i-Shahadat Order of 1984 does not impose a legal obligation to close a deceased person’s eyes, emphasizing that such practices are rooted in religious customs rather than legal duties.

The petitioners, Azmat Ullah alias Motu and Muhammad Luqman alias Gona, had previously contested their convictions, which were upheld by the Lahore High Court in May 2022.

This ruling has significant implications for criminal law in Pakistan, particularly in how evidence is interpreted in murder cases.

Defense attorneys often argue that a lack of witnesses, as suggested by post-mortem reports, can undermine the prosecution’s case.

The court’s decision reinforces the importance of considering all aspects of evidence beyond customary practices.

Looking ahead, legal experts anticipate that this ruling may influence future cases involving similar arguments regarding unwitnessed deaths.

The Supreme Court’s stance could lead to a reevaluation of how evidence is presented and interpreted in Pakistani courts.