ATC acquits accused of target killing of DSP

DSP Nawaz Ranjha was part of an operation against MQM

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) acquitted on Wednesday Danish, a co-accused in the case pertaining to the targeted killing of DSP Nawaz Ranjha.

The ATC announced the verdict at Karachi Central Jail. The counsel for the accused, Advocate Abid Zaman, argued that the police have failed to produce evidence against his client. He added that Danish had been included in the case without any reason and therefore the request for his acquittal should be accepted.

The court has already acquitted four others in the case for want of evidence.



According to police, the court sentenced Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers, Ishtiaq alias Policewala and Abu Irfan alias Irfi, to life imprisonment and ten-year imprisonment respectively. All those accused in the case are affiliated to MQM.

According to police, Danish targeted Ranjha's car in 2010, in the jurisdiction of Preedy Police Station, killing him and his driver, Jehangir Hussain. Ranjha had been part of the team which carried out operation against MQM.

Statements recorded

An ATC recorded the statements of two investigation officers (IO) in the case pertaining to weapons and explosives that were recovered from the MQM head office, Nine-Zero.

The fifteen people accused in the case, including Faisal Mota, Obaid K2 and Amir Sar Phata, were produced before the court by jail officials. The court recorded the statements of two IOs.

The court sought further witnesses of the case and adjourned the hearing till July 13.



According to police, the accused allegedly were in possession of illegal weapons and explosive materials. They were arrested from the MQM head office.

Hearing adjourned

The ATC adjourned the hearing against MQM leader Amir Khan, accused of providing shelter to terrorists at the MQM head office at Nine-Zero.

Jail officials produced Nine-Zero's security in-charge Minhaj Qazi and Raees Mama before the court. Khan had acquired permission to travel abroad till July 27. The court adjourned the hearing due to Khan's absence. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2019.