Dr Shahnawaz murder: Victim's relative lodges FIR against accused

UMARKOT: A case has been registered after the inquiry report confirming that the blasphemy accused, Dr. Shahnawaz Kumbhar, killed in a suspected fake police encounter in Umarkot, Sindh, ARY News reported on Friday.

As per the details, a case has been registered against 45 individuals including the high-ranking police officials, including DIG Javed Jaskani, SSP Asad Chaudhry, SSP Asif Raza Baloch, SHO Sindhari and CIA team officials.

The FIR, lodged under charges of murder, terrorism, and the Torture and Custodial Death Prevention Act 2022, also include Umar Jan Sindhari who allegedly incited public outrage through social media, leading to violent actions.

The case was filed by Dr. Shahnawaz’s brother-in-law – Advocate Ibrahim – in Police Station Sindhari, accusing the police of staging the encounter and torturing the victim.

DIB in-charge Danish Bhatti, Sub-Inspector Hidayatullah Narejo and other police personnel were also nominated in the case.

The investigation includes both known and unknown suspects linked to the incident.

Dr. Shahnawaz was reportedly taken into custody from Karachi and transferred to the police in Umarkot, where his death occurred.

A day earlier, following the direction of Sindh Police chief, Ghulam Nabi Memon, the inquiry committee has completed the investigation of Umerkot incident and exposed the misconduct of Sindh police.

The inquiry report, issued after intense public pressure, has revealed severe violations of law by police officials from Umerkot and Mirpur Khas.

The blasphemy accusations against Dr. Shahnawaz led to widespread protests in Umerkot, forcing police to expedite his arrest.

He was tracked down in Karachi and handed over to Mirpur Khas police, who allegedly staged the encounter later that night.

The inquiry committee, tasked with investigating the incident, has confirmed that the police encounter was fabricated to give legal cover to an extrajudicial killing.

The report condemns the celebrations and praise that police officers received from the public following Dr. Shahnawaz’s death, which went viral on social media.

The committee recommended that the family of Dr. Shahnawaz may record a statement and file an FIR for murder against the officers involved.

The committee further urged a strict departmental action against Umerkot and Mirpur Khas police, including senior officers such as the DIG and SSP of both districts, for their failure to uphold legal procedures and maintain command during the incident.