Cops confirm carcass was found in Haleem’s cell

Policemen who were deputed outside Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Haleem Adil Sheikh’s detention cell at the Special Investigation Unit’s Saddar Centre confirmed on Monday that a snake, albeit dead, was found in the cell.

The confirmation came as an investigation committee, constituted by the Karachi police chief to probe Haleem’s claim of a snake being left in his cell in an attempt to kill him, recorded the statements of more than 20 policemen and officials deployed for the opposition leader’s security while he was in detention.

Sources privy to the development, who requested anonymity, told The Express Tribune that among the policemen, DSP Shahnawaz was the first one to see the snake’s carcass. After him, three to four other officials also saw the snake that had been killed by Haleem, the sources said.

According to the sources, visitors were allowed to meet Haleem in jail only after strict checking and the statements of the visitors are yet to be recorded.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2021.