Court Sentences Four Police Officers to Death for Killing Teenage Students in Staged Encounter
In a landmark decision, a Pakistani court has sentenced four police officers to death for the extrajudicial killing of two teenage students in a staged encounter in Faisalabad. The incident, which took place in 2018, saw the deaths of Arsalan and Usman, both 19, after they reportedly failed to stop at a police checkpoint.
The verdict, issued by Additional Sessions Judge Sajida Akhtar, underscores a commitment to accountability in cases of police misconduct, with the judge imposing a PKR 1 million fine on each officer, to be awarded as compensation to the victims’ families. The decision comes amid widespread suspicion around police encounters in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab, where officers have often been accused of staging encounters.
The acquittal of a fifth officer due to insufficient evidence highlights the judicial system’s thorough approach in delivering justice in this high-profile case.