The Criminal Court has found Pakistani chef Muhammad Abid guilty of the intentional murder of a Bangladeshi waiter at the "Khanji" restaurant in Hulhumale. Presiding Judge Ahmed Shaufeeu delivered the verdict during a hearing held on Wednesday.
During the trial, Abid denied the charges brought against him by the state. He claimed that he struck the waiter in self-defense during an altercation, waving his hands to protect himself. He further stated that he was unaware he was holding a knife at the time and asserted that the fatal act was not intentional.
However, witness testimonies revealed that following a verbal dispute inside the restaurant, Abid angrily stabbed the waiter three times with a knife. Statements from other employees also indicated that the two had been involved in verbal altercations on multiple previous occasions.
No defense witnesses were presented on behalf of Abid in this case. The presiding judge noted that despite Abid's claims of the act being accidental, his actions were inherently dangerous and of a nature that would typically result in a loss of life. As witness testimonies clearly established that he used a knife to inflict the injuries, the judge ruled that the charge of intentional murder against Abid had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Although Abid has been found guilty of intentional murder, his sentencing will proceed only after obtaining the statements of the legal heirs of the deceased Bangladeshi waiter regarding forgiveness or Qisas (retributive justice).
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