Davis seeks reinvestigation into Lahore double murder case

Islamabad, Mar 16(ANI): Double murder-accused CIA contractor Raymond Davis has expressed his dissatisfaction over the previous investigation and sought a fresh probe into the murder case under the Police Order 2002, it has been learnt.

"Davis has given a written request to the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore for forwarding it to concerned quarters for reinvestigation," The News quoted a senior official, who has seen the application, as saying.

The request would be processed keeping in view the fact that the charge sheet against Davis has been submitted to the trial court, which is likely to indict him on Wednesday in the in-camera hearing inside the Kot Lakhpat jail, he added.

The official said that the jail chief has sent Davis' request to the relevant authorities, who would deal with it according to the law.

Earlier, the additional judge had rejected the plea of Davis' lawyer to get diplomatic immunity, ruling that it could not adjudicate upon it at this stage because this question was before the Lahore High Court (LHC), he added.

Now that the LHC has disposed of the issue, the accused would come up with the material to convince the judge that he has diplomatic exemption and therefore cannot be tried in Pakistan.

It is believed that Davis, advised by his legal team, has asked for reinvestigation with the purpose of delaying the launch of the regular hearing of the case.

When contacted, former Lahore District Bar president Manzoor Qadir explained that both parties- the accused and the complainant- have the right under the Police Order to seek a reinvestigation if they are not satisfied with the previous probe.

While asking for reinvestigation, either party usually pleads that the previous probe was partisan, biased and partial, the lawyer said.

Qadir said that there was a Supreme Court ruling, under which either party can petition for reinvestigation even if the hearing on the concerned case has been completed in all respects.

"But such request has to be made before the handing down of the judgement by court," he added.

The lawyer said that on the conclusion of the reinvestigation, the supplementary material is submitted to the court. However, he said the fresh probe would also be carried out by police officers. (ANI)