ISLAMABAD: Umar Hayat, accused of murdering 17-year-old TikToker Sana Yousuf, pleaded not guilty on Saturday as an Islamabad sessions court formally framed charges against him.
During the hearing before Additional District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Afzal Majoka, the accused was asked directly: “Did you kill Sana Yousuf?” Hayat denied the allegation, calling all charges “false and baseless.”
The court also informed him of charges relating to snatching Sana’s mobile phone, which he similarly rejected.
According to police, 22-year-old Hayat allegedly forced his way into Sana’s residence in Islamabad’s G-13 sector in June, opening fire at close range after she rejected his friendship and birthday gifts. The teenager died on the spot.
A murder case was lodged at Sumbal Police Station, and the accused was arrested within 20 hours in a raid in Faisalabad. Police earlier stated that Hayat confessed to the killing during interrogation, though he has now retracted the confession.
The court adjourned the case until September 25, summoning witnesses for the next hearing.
