The city court in Karachi approved on Tuesday a one-day physical remand of a woman driver in the Karsaz road accident that killed at least two people.
The police had sought the suspect’s remand while Advocate Amir Mansub objected it, arguing that his client’s mental health “was not stable” and was “receiving treatment at the Jinnah hospital”.
The court responded that bail cannot be granted without the presence of the accused, stating that the court, acting as a special magistrate, does not have the authority to grant bail.
The court instructed that Natasha, the suspect, be presented in the relevant court the following day and that an appropriate medical certificate should be submitted there.
Upon inquiry, the court asked whether the suspect’s driving licence had been confiscated or if she possessed one. The investigating officer shook his head in denial, stating that the driver holds a UK licence, not a Pakistani one.
The court questioned how a UK licence would be considered valid in Pakistan. Following this, the court ordered that the suspect be presented in the relevant court on Wednesday (tomorrow).
In the proceedings, the investigating officer submitted a report regarding the suspect’s “absence” and also provided her medical report. He stated that a doctor admitted Natasha to the hospital after examination, indicating that her “condition was such that she cannot be brought to court.” He noted that “her mental state is very poor and requested a seven-day police remand.”
But the court only approved a one-day physical remand of the suspect.
