Formal charge sheet submitted to prosecution branch in TikToker Sana Yousuf murder case

Islamabad police have officially submitted the charge sheet in TikToker Sana Yousuf’s murder case to the prosecution branch of the district and sessions court.

According to a report by Dawn, the police named 22-year-old Umar Hayat as the main accused in the brutal killing. The charges are based on witness statements, including those of Sana’s mother and aunt, along with the accused’s confession under section 164.

Police said that this confession and other evidence provide a strong case for the prosecution.

Sana Yousuf, a well-known social media influencer, was shot dead on June 2 at her home in Islamabad’s G-13 sector. The police arrested the accused from Faisalabad within 20 hours of the crime. During the arrest, police recovered the murder weapon and Sana’s mobile phone from him.

According to investigations, the accused took her phone to destroy digital evidence. The Inspector General of Police, along with other senior officers, said during a press conference that the killer took the phone to remove all proof of the crime.

To catch the accused, the police conducted raids at more than 11 locations across three cities. Tracking him was difficult, but with the help of geo-fencing and CCTV footage, police traced his escape route from G-13 to Chungi No 26, from where he went to Faisalabad by public transport.

Sources said the accused is the son of a retired Grade 16 officer and had known Sana for almost a year. He tried to meet her on her birthday between May 28 and 29 but failed. In a short phone call, he complained that she was ignoring him. They agreed to meet again on June 2. When he arrived at her home and she refused to come outside, he somehow entered the house. An argument followed, and he shot and killed her.

At the time of the murder, Sana’s aunt was at home, but her parents were away.

Police said Sana’s murder shocked people in Islamabad and across the country. It was a cruel act and a serious challenge for the police.

Now that the charge sheet has been submitted, the trial against the accused is expected to begin soon. Police believe they have enough evidence to get him punished.