In a landmark decision, a London court has sentenced Irfan Sharif, the father of Sarah Sharif, to a minimum of 40 years in prison, while her stepmother, Beenish Batool, has been handed 33 years behind bars.
According to international media reports, the Old Bailey Crown Court declared both Irfan Sharif, 43, and Beenish Batool, 30, guilty of the brutal murder of 10-year-old Sarah Sharif. In its ruling, the court stated that both convicts will remain under license supervision for the rest of their lives after serving their minimum sentences. Any violation of conditions will result in their return to prison.
The court further clarified that even after completing the minimum sentence, release is not guaranteed, as it will depend on the parole board’s assessment.
Additionally, Sarah’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for concealing the crime, remaining silent, and providing assistance to the convicts.
Background of the Case:
On August 10, Sarah Sharif’s body was discovered in her bedroom. Following the incident, her father Irfan Sharif, stepmother Beenish Batool, and uncle Faisal Malik fled to Pakistan. British authorities revealed that Sarah’s father had notified emergency services about her death from Pakistan before their flight.
British police collaborated with Pakistani authorities to secure the arrest of the suspects. After nearly a month, the trio returned to the UK, where they were detained upon landing.
The case has drawn significant attention, with British and international media highlighting the horrific circumstances of Sarah’s death and the subsequent investigation that led to this critical judgment.
