ISLAMABAD (Lord Media): The Supreme Court has annulled the orders of the trial court and Sindh High Court regarding the incorrect recording of a witness statement in a pivotal case. The court emphasized that verbatim recording of witness statements is a legal obligation and accurate judicial records are essential for a fair trial.
The Supreme Court directed the trial court to compare video and written statements, granting a 15-day period for correcting errors. The court further instructed that the case be resolved within 30 working days after corrections, asserting that non-compliance with Section 360 (2) is unlawful.
The court also stated that video recordings should be used to ensure consistency with original evidence, highlighting that a transparent trial is a fundamental right under Article 10-A.
It is noteworthy that eyewitness Nayab Umrani approached the Supreme Court regarding the murder case of advocate Sanam Umrani, alleging that the model court in Hyderabad incorrectly recorded witness statements via video link. After failing to receive justice from the Sindh High Court, Nayab Umrani filed an appeal with the Supreme Court.
