Lahore (HRNW) Shah Hussain, who was convicted and sentenced for stabbing law student Khadija Siddiqui 23 times, was released early because of technical remissions, Punjab Minister for Prisons and Colonies Fayyazul Hassan Chohan clarified Tuesday.
He was sentenced to five-year imprisonment in 2018. Hussain was, however, released on July 17 after serving a jail time of just three-and-a-half years.
The development in the case led to an uproar on social media and multiple activists and lawyers questioned the Punjab government.
In a video message on Twitter, Chohan clarified that Hussain was not given a legal remission by the prime minister, chief minister of Punjab, or the jail superintendent. “He was released on technical remissions which are granted for annual good character, blood donation, and education.”
Hussain deposited Rs0.3 million on the jail’s gate as well, a notification issued by the Punjab Central Jail stated. The total remissions earned by Hussain were one year, five months, and 23 days.
The complainant, Siddiqui, tweeted that she was unaware of the development despite reaching out to officials.
“Your silence reeks of complicity. You are responsible for allowing the early release of my attacker!”
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