KARACHI, Jan 21: The prime suspect in the Shahzeb murder case, Shahrukh Jatoi, underwent an ossification test on Monday at the Civil Hospital Karachi to determine his age.

On Jan 17, an anti-terrorism court ordered the ossification test of the suspect on an application filed by his counsel saying that the trial of the applicant be held separately from other suspects as required under Section 5 of the Juvenile Justice Ordinance because he was under 18 at the time of the alleged offence.

The suspect was brought amid strict security to the medico-legal section of the Civil Hospital Karachi where Dr Ejaz Ahmed Khokhar conducted the test to determine his age.

Officials said that the process took at least a day and after completing it the report would be handed over to investigators.

“The process consists of multiple tests and X-rays,” said an official at the police surgeon office. “At least a day is required to compile the report, which would be handed over to the investigators. The public hospitals and officials have the due expertise to conduct such a test.”

The prime suspect has been identified by two eyewitnesses during an identification parade before the court of a judicial magistrate.

Four suspects — Shahrukh Jatoi, Nawab Siraj Ali Talpur, his younger brother Nawab Sajjad Ali Talpur and their house servant Ghulam Murtaza Lashari — have been booked and arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of 20-year-old Shahzeb, who was gunned down in the Defence area on the night of Dec 24.