EXPERT LEGAL ADVICES

Need legal representation? Fill out the form below and one of our qualified legal team will be in touch to discuss your case.




    I consent to Aamer Anwar & Co. collecting and storing my data from this form and using it in line with their Privacy Policy.

    Follow @AamerAnwar
    GET EXPERT LEGAL ADVICE TODAY
    IN THE
    NEWS

    MULTI AWARD WINNING SCOTTISH LAWYERS

    CHHOKAR MURDER

    Chhokar murder: Crown wants to retry three men acquitted of killing

    BBC SCOTLAND NEWS- 2nd  MAY 2014

    Lawyer Aamer Anwar said Surjit Singh Chhokar’s family had been given hope

    The Crown is seeking to retry three men who were cleared of murdering an Asian man in Lanarkshire almost 16 years ago.

    CHHOKAR MURDER-BACKGROUND

    Surjit Singh Chhokar, 32, was killed in Overtown on 4 November 1998.

    Ronnie Coulter, his nephew Andrew Coulter, and David Montgomery were acquitted of murder after two separate trials in 1999 and 2000.

    The Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland said the Crown would seek to retry the three men following changes to Scotland’s double jeopardy laws.

    ‘Institutional racism’

    Mr Chhokar was stabbed to death outside the home he shared with his girlfriend in Overtown, North Lanarkshire.

    The case sparked controversy after two official inquiries made allegations of “institutional racism”.

    Surjit Singh Chhokar
    No-one has been brought to justice over Mr Chhokar’s murder

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

    In 2011, changes were made to the double jeopardy law which prevented an accused person from being tried for the same offence twice.

    In January 2013, the Crown Office ordered a new investigation into the case.

    Prosecutors now say they have new evidence with which to mount a third prosecution.

    ‘Legal hurdles’

    The Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General met Mr Chhokar’s parents on Friday morning and told them that they want to retry the three men who had been accused of his murder.

    In a statement, the Crown Office said: “The Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland QC, has today applied to the High Court for authority under the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2011 to set aside the acquittal of Ronnie Coulter, Andrew Coulter and David Montgomery and prosecute them again for the murder of Surjit Singh Chhokar.”

    The Chhokar family’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said: “Today the family were advised by the Lord Advocate that the Crown will make an application to the appeal court under double jeopardy legislation to bring fresh proceedings for the Chhokar murder against three men,” Mr Anwar said.

    “There still remains significant legal hurdles to be overcome.

    “The Chhokar family are grateful to the Crown Office and Police Scotland for their determination and support.

    “Today is an important step but the Chhokar family will only ever be at peace when there is justice.”

    BOOK YOUR LEGAL CONSULTATION

    Need legal representation? Fill out the form below and one of our qualified legal team will be in touch to discuss your case.




      I consent to Aamer Anwar & Co. collecting and storing my data from this form and using it in line with their Privacy Policy.

      OUR SERVICES

      Do you have a legal issue you'd like to find out more about?

      View Services

      TESTIMONIALS

      Read what some of our clients have to say about our services.

      View Testimonials

      LEGAL AID

      Find out whether you qualify for Legal Aid.

      Start Now

      SPECIALIST LEGAL SERVICES

      DRUG CRIME

      FIND OUT MORE

      RAPE &
      SEX CRIME

      FIND OUT MORE

      EXTRADITION & INTERNATIONAL CRIME

      FIND OUT MORE

      REPUTATION
      MANAGEMENT

      FIND OUT MORE

      FRAUD & CORPORATE
      CRIME

      FIND OUT MORE

      CYBER & INTERNET CRIME

      FIND OUT MORE

      MURDER & VIOLENT CRIME

      FIND OUT MORE

      PROCEEDS OF CRIME

      FIND OUT MORE

      CRIMINAL APPEALS

      FIND OUT MORE

      MEDIA LAW

      FIND OUT MORE

      ROAD TRAFFIC LAW

      FIND OUT MORE

      IMMIGRATION

      FIND OUT MORE

      PERSONAL INJURY

      FIND OUT MORE

      EMPLOYMENT

      FIND OUT MORE

      LICENSING

      FIND OUT MORE

      TERRORISM

      FIND OUT MORE

      HEALTH & SAFETY PROSECUTION / FATAL ACCIDENT INQUIRY

      FIND OUT MORE

      BREACH OF THE PEACE / RIGHT TO PROTEST

      FIND OUT MORE

      OTHER SERVICES

      FIND OUT MORE

      PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM SPECIALISTS

      CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION