Former judge to head committee probing ten-year-old Amal’s death

Hospital's version is a lie, says Amal's mother

ISLAMABAD: A former judge of the Sindh High Court will lead the team formed by the apex court to probe the killing of ten-year-old Amal in an 'encounter' between police and criminals in the Gizri area of the port city.

Justice (retd) Arif Khilji was picked by the chief justice to lead the probe as the provincial advocate general informed the Supreme Court that measures have been taken for the formation of the committee.



The court was also informed that the procedure of private hospitals when dealing with emergency cases needs to reassessed and added that Sindh's inspector-general has also taken steps to address the issue.

"We need three weeks."

 

"There should be a trauma centre in all government and private hospitals," the CJP remarked during the hearing. "The hospital did not even provide adequate first aid. Why should we not investigate the hospital? Where is the owner of the hospital?"

At this, the top judge was informed the hospital's owner was travelling. The CJP then remarked that an investigation can also be launched against the hospital.

Amal's mother, Beenish, informed the apex court that the hospital had asked her to transfer the injured 10-year-old to a vehicle. The hospital claims otherwise. She termed the hospital's version of the event a lie.

"They even wrote the wrong time of death in the records," Beenish informed the court.

Beenish's lawyer also prayed upon the court to ensure that IG Sindh is not part of the investigation team. A short order naming members of the committee would be issued later today, said the court.

Earlier this month, the CJP took notice of the death of 10-year-old Amal Umer, who was hit by a stray bullet during a police encounter on August 13.



According to media reports, Amal, her younger sister and parents were on their way to a concert when they stopped at a traffic light and a robber looted the family at gunpoint.

After looting Amal’s parents, the robber went to a car behind them and while they were waiting for the signal to turn green, the parents heard a gunshot – the shot hit Amal on the head.

The family rushed to the nearest hospital – National Medical Centre – where they were told by the doctor on duty to take the child to either Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre or Aga Khan University Hospital.

The delay in treatment led to the girl's death.