Surjit Singh Chhokar Murder: Call To Reinvestigate 1988 Killing Of Lanarkshire Man

Call To Reinvestigate 1988 Murder Of Surjit Singh Chhokar

A former senior policeman has called for the murder of an Asian man more than 13 years ago to be reinvestigated.

Waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar was stabbed to death outside the home he shared with his girlfriend in Overtown, Lanarkshire on November 4, 1998.

Graeme Pearson, who was head of crime at Strathclyde Police at the time of the murder, and later gave evidence at an inquiry into the handling of the case, said the murder was "unfinished business".

The murder sparked controversy after the failure of prosecuting authorities to bring a conviction for his killing despite the arrests of three men and two subsequent trials.

Two official inquiries ordered in the wake of the legal episode made allegations of "institutional racism".

Following the publication of the reports, the then Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, said that the Chhokar family had been failed by the police and prosecution services.

Reform of Scotland's centuries-old double jeopardy law came into force at the end of last year.

The legislation aims to allow the retrial of people who may have escaped conviction in the past.

Under the reform, the double jeopardy principle which prevents a person being tried twice for the same crime will be enshrined in law but will permit exemptions.

Mr Pearson, who is now a Labour MSP, said there was an "opportunity" to look at the case again.

He said: "It feels that with this case there is unfinished business given the way this was handled by the Crown at the time, allowing the accused to blame each other.

"In terms of the (Stephen) Lawrence case, the only similarities are the fact the victim was an ethnic minority, and that there is an opportunity to look at it again given the reform of the double jeopardy law.

"Now that we can re-open the investigation into crimes like this again in Scotland, it would seem an ideal case to review, and ascertain whether there is a possibility of a retrial."

SNP MSP Humza Yousaf, who is also a member of the government's Justice Committee, said: "The SNP's reform of double jeopardy laws means it is now possible for a retrial in the case of Surjit Singh Chhokar and the Stephen Lawrence case shows the impact new evidence and new technology can have in delivering justice.

"I have spoken to the lawyer for the family and I would welcome any further investigation."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Following the passage of the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act at the end of November last year, the Solicitor General, Lesley Thomson, has already been asked by the Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland, to review and prioritise cases which may be prosecuted anew under the Act.

"Decisions to take forward prosecutions are entirely a matter for the Crown Office, not ministers."

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