A sessions court in Multan has handed down a death sentence to Ali Raza, the husband of Sania Zahra, after finding him guilty of her murder. The verdict was announced by Additional Sessions Judge Mohsin Ali Khan on Wednesday, bringing a significant development to a case that has drawn strong public attention.

The court also awarded life imprisonment to two other accused: Sania’s brother-in-law Haider Raza and her mother-in-law Azra Parveen. Both were found complicit in the crime during the trial. Police produced the primary accused, Ali Raza, before the court under custody as the judge read out the decision.

Meanwhile, the court acquitted three individuals due to lack of evidence. Those acquitted include Sania’s father-in-law Jeevan Shah, her sister-in-law Dua Zahra, and the convict Ali Raza’s former wife Madiha. The judge noted that prosecution witnesses failed to establish their direct involvement in the case.

The tragic incident dates back to July 9, 2024, when Sania Zahra’s body was discovered inside a room of her marital home. Police reported that the body was found with a noose around her neck, prompting an immediate investigation and the arrest of multiple family members.

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Authorities later listed six suspects, including Ali Raza, Haider Raza, and Azra Parveen, all of whom were nominated in the FIR lodged by Sania’s father, Asad Abbas Shah. The case moved swiftly through the investigative phase, leading to formal charges and trial proceedings.

With the sentencing now complete, the family of the victim says they hope the verdict will deliver justice and deterrence in cases of domestic violence and marital abuse.