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Islamabad Court Acquits Supreme Court Judge’s Daughter in Hit-and-Run Case
Islamabad court acquits Shanzay Malik, daughter of Supreme Court judge, in a hit-and-run case involving the deaths of two waiters. The court cited lack of evidence in its verdict.
ND
by News Desk
2025-02-26
Islamabad Court Acquits Supreme Court Judge’s Daughter in Hit-and-Run Case

A local court in Islamabad has acquitted Shanzay Malik, daughter of Supreme Court judge Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed Khan, in a hit-and-run case that resulted in the deaths of two restaurant workers.

Judicial Magistrate Adnan Yousuf announced the verdict on Tuesday, granting Malik’s acquittal after accepting the plea filed by her legal team.

Case Background

Shanzay Malik was accused of running over two employees of Savour Foods in 2022 near the Sohan Bridge on Islamabad Expressway. The case was registered at Khanna police station after a delay of 11 days, raising questions about the investigation process.

Initially, Malik had been on the run for over two years before securing pre-arrest bail. The legal proceedings also saw a significant change in charges, with the court replacing the non-bailable Section 322 (causing death by negligent driving) of the Pakistan Penal Code with Section 320 (causing death without intent), which is a bailable offense.

Legal Arguments

Advocate Siddique Awan, representing Malik, argued that the prosecution lacked substantial evidence and relied on secondary facts. He pointed out that there was no video proof directly identifying his client as the driver and that the photographs presented were inconclusive. Furthermore, he questioned why the case was registered so late after the incident.

On the other hand, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Advocate Tufail Shahzad, maintained that forensic evidence confirmed a woman was driving the vehicle. He also claimed that witnesses had identified Malik and that video footage supported their testimony. The plaintiff, Rafaqat Ali, further alleged that he faced threats during the legal battle.

Case Developments and Verdict

Records show that the SUV involved in the accident was linked to Lahore High Court and was under the use of Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed at the time. The vehicle was later released on ‘superdari’ in July 2024 with the assurance that it would be presented in court when required.

During the hearings, Inspector General of Islamabad Police Ali Nasir Rizvi informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the vehicle was indeed driven by a woman at the time of the accident. However, despite these claims, the court ruled in Malik’s favor, citing a lack of concrete evidence to hold her accountable.

This verdict has sparked debate over legal proceedings involving influential figures, with critics questioning the fairness of the judicial process in such cases.
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