SHO remanded for firing on his son-in-law in judge’s chamber

Chandio married SHO's daughter without her parents' consent

HYDERABAD: A court granted on Wednesday the physical remand of the policeman who fired gunshots in a judge's chamber and injured his son-in-law. The Station House Officer (SHO), Muhammad Shareef Khoso, who was arrested from the crime scene and from whose possession the weapon was seized, was produced in an anti-terrorism court for remand.

Khoso had fired four gunshots at his son-in-law Saboor Ahmed Chandio in the chamber of a civil judge and judicial magistrate VIII. Chandio escaped from the chamber after sustaining a bullet wound in the leg. The judge and other persons in the chamber remained unhurt but the gunshots created panic in the court. The judge, Abdul Momin Kalhoro, had tried to stop Khoso from firing but he had disregarded the judge.

The incident's FIR was registered at Cantt Police Station on behalf of Chandio. Khoso, who was posted as SHO at Hussainabad Police Station, is nominated under sections 324 (attempted murder), 109 (abetment) and 34 (acts by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code besides section 6/7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Action sought against investigation officer

The complainant has also nominated another individual, Naek Muhammad Khoso, in the FIR. According to the complainant, the SHO tried to kill him in the judge's chamber.

Chandio married Khoso's daughter, Anila, without her parents' consent on September 3 in Larkana. However, her family brought her back assuring Chandio's family that they would send Anila to her in-laws' house after organising a formal wedding ceremony. The SHO, however, filed a case for divorce in the court on behalf of his daughter. During Tuesday's hearing, Anila informed the judge that her father has been compelling her to take a divorce and that she wanted to live with her husband. As soon as Khoso's lawyer informed the SHO about his daughter's statement, Khoso entered the chamber and opened fire on Chandio.

Chandio was shifted to Liaquat University Hospital where he is reportedly recovering. Anila returned to her in-laws' house from the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2019.