An Islamabad court acquitted Shanzay Malik, the daughter of Supreme Court Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed Khan, in a high-profile hit-and-run case.
The verdict, announced by Judicial Magistrate Adnan Yousuf, granted the acquittal application filed by Malik’s legal team.
Shanzay Malik was accused of fatally hitting two waiters from Savor Foods, a private restaurant, in an accident that led to the registration of a case at Khanna police station. The court had reserved its decision after hearing arguments from both sides before ultimately ruling in Malik’s favor.
Defense Argument
Advocate Siddique Awan, Malik’s counsel, argued that the prosecution lacked substantial evidence, as its case was based entirely on secondary facts.
He highlighted that:
- The case was registered 11 days after the accident, with no explanation for the delay.
- No video evidence was presented, and the photos submitted did not clearly identify Malik.
- Malik was only nominated after the plaintiff’s delayed statement in July 2024.
Legal Developments
Earlier reports indicated that Shanzay Malik had been granted pre-arrest bail after being on the run for more than two years.
During legal proceedings, Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code (causing death by rash or negligent driving, a non-bailable offense) was removed and replaced with Section 320 (causing death without intent, a bailable offense).
Prosecution’s Claims
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Advocate Tufail Shahzad, argued that:
- Video evidence clearly identified Malik as the driver.
- A forensic report confirmed a woman was behind the wheel.
- Witnesses had identified Malik and recorded their statements, which were on record.
The plaintiff, Rafaqat Ali, further alleged that he faced threats, and the investigation had been deliberately stalled.
The Hit-and-Run Incident
According to the judicial record, the accident occurred in June 2022 when:
- Victims Shakeel Tanoli and Hasnain Ali were heading home near Sohan Bridge on the Expressway at midnight.
- They were hit by a luxury SUV allegedly driven by a woman, who fled the scene, leaving the vehicle behind.
- Police impounded the vehicle, but it was later handed over to a Lahore High Court official on ‘superdari’ in July 2024, with the assurance it would be produced in court if required.
In July 2024, Islamabad Police Chief Ali Nasir Rizvi informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that:
- The SUV involved in the hit-and-run was in use by Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed.
- A woman was confirmed to be driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Despite these findings, the court ruled in favor of Shanzay Malik’s acquittal, sparking debate over legal accountability and judicial transparency.
