The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday sought the record of the Mustafa Amir murder case from the trial court while hearing a petition filed by the victim’s mother against delays in the proceedings.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Abdul Rahman expressed concern over the repeated adjournments and directed the trial court to submit a report detailing the progress of the case and reasons for delays.

During the hearing, the court asked whether Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code had been added to the case.

The complainant’s lawyer confirmed that the accused was facing several cases and alleged that delaying tactics were being used repeatedly.

The lawyer said proceedings had been delayed on different pretexts, including disputes between the accused and his parents, the absence of his lawyer from court and claims that the accused did not have confidence in the trial court.

The complainant’s counsel said the case was extremely serious but that only dates were being given instead of meaningful progress.

The court observed that if the accused was employing delaying tactics, it was the responsibility of the trial court and prosecution to ensure that the trial proceeded without unnecessary delay.

Justice Abdul Rahman also asked whether a medical board had been constituted to conduct a psychiatric examination of the accused following his request.

The complainant’s lawyer said no such medical board had been formed so far.

Justice Iqbal Kalhoro asked whether charges had been formally framed in the case and directed the complainant’s side to submit an application seeking an expedited trial.

The court warned that a delay of two years could affect witness testimony, as witnesses might forget details of the events.

The complainant’s lawyer said an application had already been filed and that the case diary contained all relevant records.

The court directed the authorities to submit a report at the next hearing detailing the progress of the case and the adjournments granted during the proceedings.

Mother seeks speedy trial

Speaking to the media outside the SHC, Mustafa Amir’s mother said the case had been delayed for around a year and a half and that unnecessary delays were affecting the proceedings.

She said she had approached the High Court to challenge the delay and seek clarification on why the case was not progressing.