ISLAMABAD
Supreme Court (SC) has remarked men are protectors of women and not murderers.
The SC has given these remarks in its written decision while rejecting appeal plea of husband Waris Masih, a drug addict against the sentence awarded to him for killing his wife. The SC has upheld Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision for commuting death sentence of Waris Masih into life imprisonment.
SC bench comprising Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar, Justice Salah ud Din Panhwar and justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim issued written decision.
Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar wrote the order.
The SC maintained in its decision men are protectors of women and not murderers. Women are equal members of society and they are entitled to safety, respect and dignity.
The decision said women are being meted out animal like treatment and they are being subjected to violence in petty matters. Drug addiction is one among main causes behind violence against women.
The court made it clear no one can be allowed to spoil sacred relation of mother, sister, wife and daughter. The court maintained state should stop violence against women through comprehensive legislation, procedure of effective implementation and programs
Protection of women under article 9, right to life and freedom, and article 25 equality is constitutional obligation of the state.
According to prosecution the accused was drugs addict and he used to remain involved in altercation with his wife often The accused critically injured his wife and two minor daughters with stick at midnight on July 6, 2015. The daughter of the accused recorded evidence as eye witness against her father. . According to medical report wife died due to brain injuries and breaking of head bone.
The court maintained when wife is killed inside home then the basic responsibility for explaining the situation lies with the husband. However the accused remained silent during trial and he could not present any reasonable cause for unnatural death of his wife.
The court also noted escaping by the accused after the murder incident, not participating in the burial and not informing the police are grave evidence against him .
The trial court had originally sentenced Waris Masih to death for the murder of his wife, along with one year of rigorous imprisonment and a fine equivalent to five percent of the Diyat amount for injuring his children. The Islamabad High Court had only commuted the death penalty to life imprisonment.
