A district court in Sindh’s Dadu on Monday acquitted all eight accused, including two Pakistan Peoples Party MPAs, in the high-profile murder case of Advocate Ume Rubab Chandio’s grandfather, father and uncle.
Rubab was pursuing the case regarding the murder of her father, Mukhtiar Chandio; her grandfather, Raees Karamullah Chandio, and her uncle, Kamil Chandio, who were gunned down in broad daylight in Ahmed Colony in Mehar Taluka on January 17, 2018. The case had been ongoing for over eight years, with 392 hearings taking place during the trial.
Additional Sessions Judge and Model Criminal Trial Court Judge Hussain Kalor, who had reserved the verdict a month ago, stated in his order issued today that no evidence was found to prove the charges against the accused, including Sardar Ahmed Khan Chandio and Burhan Khan Chandio, and consequently ordered their release.
Ahead of the verdict, stringent security measures were implemented. Police forces, including 30 station house officers from across the district, six deputy superintendents of police and 589 personnel, were deployed, and road closures were enforced within a two-kilometre radius of the courthouse.
Reacting to the verdict, Rubab expressed her determination, stating, “My spirits are high. The world is shocked that the feudal lords in Sindh are granted a licence to commit murder. I will challenge the verdict in the high court.” Her lawyer, Salahuddin Panhwar, confirmed that an appeal would be filed in the Sindh High Court against the decision.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman strongly criticised the acquittal, saying, “The court’s decision has once again proven that the justice system is subservient to the powerful feudal lords.”
“I salute the daughter of the nation, Ume Rubab Chandio, for her relentless fight for justice,” he added.
Addressing the PPP chairman, he questioned, “Isn’t Ume Rubab Chandio a daughter of Sindh?”
He further criticised the system, asking, “Are the powerful and feudal lords your favourites?”
The JI chief urged political parties and human rights organisations to stand by Rubab in her pursuit of justice.
Police arrest main suspect in Kalakot murder case within 72 hours
The Kalakot Police have solved a murder case within 72 hours and arrested the main suspect involved in the crime, SSP District City Syed Ali Hassan said.
He said the investigation revealed that the accused was a friend of the deceased and the murder stemmed from a personal dispute between them.
The police also recovered the weapon used in the crime from the possession of arrested suspect identified as Anees.
Police apprehended the accused through a technical and intelligence-based targeted operation.
The SSP said the incident had occurred on March 25 in the Kalakot area, where a man identified as Musa was critically injured in a firing incident and later succumbed to his injuries.
A case had been registered under FIR No. 100/26 at Kalakot Police Station.