Main accused in Sindhi nationalist leader’s murder arrested

No one has the right to be cruel under the garb of self-defence, says AIGP

KARACHI: Union Council Nazim Rahim Shah, the main accused in the murder of Jeay Sindh Tehreek’s Karachi President Irshad Ranjhani, was arrested on Monday.

Ranjhani was shot dead on February 6 in Bhains Colony, within the limits of Shah Latif Police Station.

Subsequently, Shah registered an FIR against the deceased, accusing him of trying to loot his cash.

His arrest was made on the directives of Additional IG Karachi Dr Amir Shaikh after the initial findings of an inquiry committee led by the DIG East Amir Farooqui.

Sheikh said that even if Shah acted in self-defence, it was mandatory to shift Ranjhani to a hospital. "There are limits to self-defence. No one has the right to be cruel under the garb of self-defence," he said.

The Karachi police chief said that police were also contemplating to take action against bystanders following the incident.

Speaking to the media, SSP Malir and DIG East stated a robbery attempt was made on Shah, and personal enmity was not the cause of the murder.

Ranjhani, police added, received five bullets and an investigation committee was reviewing all evidence.

Sub-inspector Riaz Hussain was the first to each the incident site and has been suspended. "Rahim Shah halted attempts to take Ranjhani to a hospital and has been arrested. As per Supreme Court orders, only one case can be registered for one incident," police was quoted as saying.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.

Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah had been directed to write a letter to the Sindh High Court registrar, requesting for an inquiry to be initiated into the murder.

Protest in Karachi

Several party workers and rights activists protested Ranjhani’s killing, demanding punishment for Shah.

Holding posters and placards, they gathered at Karsaz and vowed to continue their struggle till the framing of  terrorism charges against the UC nazim for “killing Ranjhani and not him first aid”.