Arrest warrants issued for three witness cops

ATC angered by absence of witnesses; directs IO to nab and produce them at next hearing

A special anti-terrorism court directed the police on Thursday to arrest the three cops who are witnesses in the Naqeebullah murder case and present them at the next hearing. Irked at their absence, the ATC issued non-bailable arrest warrants of the three witness police officers and bailable arrest warrants of four other witnesses in the case.

The statements of two other witness police officers were recorded during the hearing.

Former Malir SSP Rao Anwar, DSP Qamar and other accused appeared ATC No3 at Karachi Central Jail as did Investigation Officer SSP Abid Qaimkhani and counsels of the parties.

While cross-examining the witnesses, defence lawyer advocate Mushtaq asked the witnesses if they had been informed that an encounter had taken place at the site they visited.

Witness Murad Ali replied in the affirmative. He stated that he was informed that an encounter had occurred at the site, but he had gone there for inspection pertaining to another case.

Were there bullet marks in the rooms you inspected, inquired advocate Mushtaq. The counsel asked the witnesses whether the bullets had been fired to the room from outside and vice versa.

To which, Ali again replied in the affirmative.

Addressing Ali, the defence counsel further maintained that as Ali is experienced, his answers indicate that there were weapons being used inside and outside the room and that there was an exchange of fire.

At this, Ali maintained that the case he had gone to the site for was not one pertaining to an encounter.

But when you visited the site and saw the bullet marks you would have understood that an encounter had taken place there, pressed the defence counsel.

Ali again stated that he was informed that this was the same site where an encounter had taken place.

The counsels completed the cross-examination of the witnesses. The court expressed annoyance at the absence of three other witness police officials.

Following which, SSP Qaimkhani maintained that the police bound the witnesses to appear before the court but yet they fail to appear.

The court issued non-bailable arrest warrants of the three absent witnesses, namely, sub-inspector Abdul Ghaffar, ASI Munawar Ali and policeman Muhammad Arsalan. Besides, the court issued bailable arrest warrants of four other witnesses.

The IO was directed to arrest the witnesses and produce them before the court at the next hearing slated for February 11.

Bail granted

Meanwhile, another ATC accepted the bail plea of one accused in cases pertaining to robbery and police encounter.

The court directed the accused, Ramzan, to submit Rs100,000 surety against his bail in each of the cases and adjourned the hearing till February 6.

According to police, Ramzan, was involved in a robbery in Steel Town and was arrested during a police encounter.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2021.