A local court on Saturday reserved the verdict in Irshad Ranjhani murder case on sending suspects Abdul Rahim Shah and police inspector Riaz to jail on judicial remand, a private channel reported. Both the suspects were produced before a judicial magistrate’s court in Malir. They were brought to the court amid tight security. The investigation officer (IO) pleaded to the court to send the suspects to jail on judicial remand. The IO said investigation from the suspects had been completed and there was no need for physical remand anymore. However, the prosecutor prayed to the court to order arrest of the suspects in the case filed under terrorism act. The court reserved the verdict after hearing arguments of both the parties. Was Ranjhani a criminal? The initial investigation report into Irshad Ranjhani murder case on Feb 9 revealed that the political worker was booked in four criminal cases. The investigation team found the criminal record of Ranjhani, who was killed by Union Council (UC) chairman Rahim Shah in city’s Bhains Colony area. “One case is lodged in North Nazimabad police station while another in Bahadurabad station. Moreover, two cases are registered in the station of Defense area of Karachi,” the investigation officer revealed. The cases were lodged on the complaints of robbery and possessing illegal weapon against Ranjhani. Police have refuted reports related to the abduction of Ranjhani and then murdering him. Further records pertaining to the whereabouts of the murdered political worker have been obtained by the investigation team. According to eye-witnesses, some persons riding a motorbike accompanying with Ranjhani had fled the scene after Rahim Shah opened fire, and one of them -Ranjhani – was killed. A video had surfaced later which showed Irshad Ranjhani, lying in the pool of his blood. Surrounded by onlookers, Rahim Shah, can be heard claiming in the video that he was a “robber” and “carrying a weapon”. Police had also recovered a 9mm pistol from Ranjhani after the incident. Published in Daily Times, February 17th 2019.