Court proceedings: SHC orders to provide medical treatment to former FCS chief

Nisar Morai is being grilled for alleged involvement in facilitating gang war and money laundering

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Rangers to provide medical treatment to Fisheries Cooperative Society's former chairperson Nisar Ahmed Jan Memon, alias Dr Nisar Morai, who is being grilled at the Mitha Ram sub-jail for 90 days.

A division bench, headed by Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh, also ordered the Rangers law officer Shahbaz to submit the suspect's medical report by Friday. Morai is being grilled for his alleged involvement in different crimes, including facilitating the Lyari gang warfare and money laundering.

The suspect's family had approached the high court against the Rangers, seeking provision of medical treatment for the ailing Morai and permission to meet him in custody. The Rangers arrested Morai in March from Islamabad and later shifted him to Karachi. Days later, the paramilitary force informed an anti-terrorism court about his three-month detention for questioning.

The Rangers had claimed they had 'credible' information about his involvement in targeted killings, kidnappings and extortion, which are punishable under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. Therefore, Morai was placed under preventive detention for 90 days under Section 11EEEE (3) of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The family of the accused claimed that several requests were made to Rangers to allow them to meet the detainee, but they were refused. They said that such denial of meeting is a violation of the jail manual and other relevant laws. The family further told the judges that the detainee needed regular treatment for ailments such as cancer, but he was not being provided treatment due to which his life could be in danger. The court was pleaded to direct the Rangers DG to allow the family to meet the detainee and also to provide him medical treatment facilities.

On the other hand, the Rangers law officer Shahbaz opposed the request, arguing that the detainee is fit and healthy. He added that according to Morai's medical reports, only his haemoglobin had increased.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the bench directed the Rangers to ensure that proper medical treatment is provided to the detainee in custody, and that the suspect's family should also be allowed to meet him.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6^th, 2016.