ATC reserves verdict on bail plea in Naqeebullah case

Accused get bail in doctor 'suicide' case, cops submit challan in local court

An anti-terrorism court reserved its verdict on Monday on the bail plea of an accused in Naqeebullah murder case.

The case was heard at the Karachi Central Jail. According to sources, the ATC's decision is likely to be announced today (Tuesday).

Presenting final arguments, accused Khair Muhammad's counsel argued that Muhammad was not present when the police encounter took place. He contended that one of the prosecution's witnesses, who is a mobile CDR [call data record] expert, had informed the court at the last hearing that Muhammad was not present at the site at the time of the encounter.

However, the petitioner's counsel argued that Muhammad was present and prayed the court to reject the accused's bail plea.

After the completion of arguments, the ATC reserved its verdict on the bail plea and adjourned the hearing till December 22.

Doctor 'suicide' case

Declaring the police's investigation substandard, the Sindh High Court accepted the bail pleas of the accused in a female doctor's suicide case.

The court granted bail to the accused, Junaid and Waqas, directing them to pay surety of Rs200,000 each.

Separately, a local court heard the case of the doctor's suicide at the Karachi City Court and the police submitted the interim challan for the murder case against the accused.

In the challan, the police declared three accused, Tabish, Saad Nasir and Junaid, responsible for M’s death.

According to the police, Tabish provided M with the weapon, owned by Saad. The challan states that Junaid and M had been friends for four years and she befriended Waqas through him. It states that she had attempted suicide earlier as well.

M had informed her friend about being tortured by Junaid and had stated that he would be responsible for her death, states the challan. The police found during investigation that she was addicted to cocaine, and found evidence of contact between her and a drug dealer, who had supplied cocaine to her on August 18. However, add the police, there was no evidence of Saad being in contact with the doctor.

The challan further states that a witness, a doctor, said the direction of the gunshot wound was stated incorrectly in the initial medical examination report.

The post-mortem report suggests that M was shot at the right side of her head, states the challan. It further states that the forensics report of the mobile phone and DNA reports are yet to be received.

In the challan submitted before the court, the police have included sections of the Pakistan Penal Code pertaining to unintentional murder (Qatl-bis-sabab) and removed sections pertaining to consumption of a poisonous substance.

*Initial used to protect identity

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2020.