Lahore: Lahore High Court (LHC) has raised important legal and sharia related questions on video evidence and legal and sharia-compliant usage of CCTV footage in murder case.
The court summoned Prosecutor General Punjab and Director General Punjab Forensic Science Agency besides appointing two amicus curiae of courts for assistance on effective use of video and electronic evidence and interpretation.
Justice Muhammad Amjid Rafiq of LHC while issuing written order on the appeal plea of life convict Raja Shahid raised important questions on legal position of use of CCTV footage and video evidence in murder cases.
The court maintained such legal and forensic points have come to fore with reference to video evidence presented in the court which need assistance of the experts.
The court raised this question particularly if faces of the accused are not clear in CCTV footage then will it be correct legally to award punishment by identifying the accused merely on the basis of this footage.
The court set up important legal questions about legal status of CCTV footage acquired privately , its acceptability and the flaws which surfaced during the investigation.
The court also inquired this in the written order can an accused be awarded punishment merely on the basis of CCTV footage.
The court has also sought assistance if the statements of prosecution witnesses can be rejected or otherwise in the light of CCTV footage.
The court also raised questions on pixel enhancement in CCTV Footage and need of re-analysis on forensic basis.
The CCTV footage of murder case was reviewed by running it in open court during the hearing of case.
LHC appointed advocate Supreme Court Shiba Qaisar as amicus curiae for assistance on legal points related to video and electronic evidence. Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Navid Umar Bhatti was also appointed as amicus curiae .
The court while issuing notice to prosecutor general Punjab Chaudhry Irfan Sadiq Tarar and Director General Punjab Forensic Science Agency sought assistance on legal and forensic points which came to fore in the case.
The court maintained the explanation of legal principles regarding use of video evidence, its verification, identification of the accused and their acceptability is essential.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till next week. The court will be assisted on important legal and forensic questions related to CCTV footage and video evidence during next hearing.