Victim Khadija Siddiqi to challenge in SC her attacker’s acquittal by LHC

Victim Khadija Siddiqi has decided to challenge Lahore High Court’s verdict in the Supreme Court, which acquitted on Monday her attacker who stabbed her multiple times in an attempt to kill her.

Back in 2016, Shah Hussain, son of a lawyer, stabbed her fellow Khadija 23 times, leaving her in a critical condition but she miraculously survived. Last year, judicial magistrate sentenced Hussain to seven-year imprisonment.

However, this year a sessions court in March shortened his jail term from seven years to five years. Hussain then moved an appeal in the LHC after which the high court Judge Ahmed Naeem acquitted the accused after listening to arguments from the lawyers of the defence and prosecution.

Hassan Rizvi, the counsel for Khadija, announced on Twitter that they would challenge the decision of the high court before the Supreme Court.

Khadija right now. All pumped to fight the next battle. Supreme Court we are coming.

Shah hussain the butcher no mafia can stop us. This is mafia vs the weak vulnerable people of the society. Decision was shocking today #WeareWithKhadija #JusticeForKhadija pic.twitter.com/XTGSZpl0F9

— Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) June 4, 2018

Soon after the news surfaced on social media, there was an uproar over the LHC decision, while on Twitter demanded justice for Khadija.

And if it is the game of power, then so be it. Because there is nothing more powerful than when people come together united for a cause against those in power. We are with you @khadeeeej751 #justiceforkhadija

— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) June 4, 2018

Shah Hussain, who was found guilty last year of brutally stabbing @khadeeeej751 23 times, has just been acquitted by the Lahore High Court. Shameful day for Pakistan. Please support her and her lawyer @HniaziISF as they continue this fight.#WeareWithKhadija #JusticeForKhadija pic.twitter.com/4ubzCgz3Py

— Jeremy McLellan (@JeremyMcLellan) June 4, 2018

Imagine u get stabbed 23 times, imagine u survive that and then are strong enuf to pursue a case to court while dealing with hell from powerful ppl.

Now imagine the court letting the man who stabbed u 23 times off the hook.

That's what #Pakistan courts just did

— Adnan Rasool (@adnanrasool) June 4, 2018

WHAT THE HELL? I am hearing that attacker of #KhadijaSiddiqi who stabbed her 24 times has been acquitted by Lahore High Court???? If this is true, then we must all unite & be Khadija's voice & leave no stone unturned to get her justice against this barbarian! #WeAreWithKhadija pic.twitter.com/BimkvEK8Z5

— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) June 4, 2018

Attacker of #KhadijaSiddiqi who stabbed her 24 times has been acquitted by Lahore High Court. Is this what our justice system has come down to. First under CJP Nisar's general order security was withdrawn from @khadeeeej751 and now her attacker has been set free. Shame pic.twitter.com/L4lAzlVacz

— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) June 4, 2018

A seven-year sentence for attempted murder - reduced to five years - reduced to nothing. This is how we value a woman seeking justice with proof (multiple eye-witnesses, DNA match) - the message is loud and clear. She is reduced to nothing. #JusticeForKhadija

— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) June 4, 2018