Accused in teenage TikTok star Sana Yousaf’s murder retracts confession, alleges false implication

ISLAMABAD: The prime accused in the murder case of 17-year-old Tik Tok influencer Sana Yousaf retracted his earlier confessional statement admitting to the murder while testifying before the trial court on Monday, alleging that Islamabad police had falsely implicated him in the case. Last year, Umar Hayat — son of a retired government official and a Tik Toker himself — had confessed before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr PC) that he shot Sana. In his statement, he admitted developing a one-sided obsession with her after online interactions, and said jealousy and suspicion drove him to commit the crime. On Monday, Hayat maintained in his statement under Section 342 of the CrPC that he was falsely implicated. Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) allows a trial court to question an accused person regarding any incriminating evidence against them. Its main purpose is to ensure a fair trial by providing the accused an opportunity to explain the circumstances before presenting their defence. Public prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain Kayani appeared before the court, while the accused repeatedly declined to answer questions in the absence of his lawyer. At the outset of the proceedings, the accused refused to disclose his age. Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka asked him whether he had listened to the testimonies recorded during the trial. Hayat replied that he would not answer without his counsel. The judge observed that a lawyer was not necessary during the recording of a statement under Section 342 since it was a direct interaction between the court and the accused. The court then asked whether it was correct that he had rented a car under the name Umar Hayat. The accused again refused to respond in the absence of a lawyer. Judge Majoka further asked the accused whether he had gone to Yousaf’s house with the intention of killing her, shot her twice in the chest, taken her mobile phone and fled. In response, the accused again insisted