Supreme Court has raised questions regarding the validity of media reports and interviews as evidence in criminal cases, specifically in murder trials.
Justice Athar Minallah questioned the credibility of media interviews presented as evidence, asking, and “What is the status of interviews by media persons in criminal cases?"
During the hearing, the defense lawyer pointed out that a journalist had declared the accused, Shahid Ali, guilty of murder in their report, which led to concerns over fair trial procedures.
Justice Minallah emphasized that no interference should occur during the investigation, stating, "In criminal cases, evidence is collected through investigations, and no one other than the investigating officer can interfere."
The court also expressed concerns about the fairness of the trial, with Justice Irfan Saadat asking, "Should the accused be sentenced to death based on media interviews?"
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Attorney General, Advocate General, and Prosecutor General regarding the case and has adjourned the hearing until January 27.
The case involves Shahid Ali, who was sentenced to death by the trial court after confessing to the crime in a media interview, though he later retracted his statement in front of a magistrate. The Sindh High Court upheld the trial court's verdict. Ali had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the conviction.
