SHC rejects plea against bail for PPP MPA Burhan Chandio

Chandio, his brother, five under trial for triple-murder

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has rejected the bail application of PPP MPA Burhan Chandio and his brother PPP MPA Sardar Chandio and others in the triple murder case of the Meher town of Dadu.

A single bench of Justice Salahuddin Phnwar heard the bail application of suspects in the high-profile case in which the victim's surviving daughter had taken on one of the most powerful political clans of Sindh.

The two brothers along with five other suspects, identified as Ali Gohar, Sattar, Sikandar, Murtaza and Zulfiqar, were nominated as accused in the triple murder of Raees Karamullah Chandio, the then chairman of the Baldai union council of Mehar taluka, his two sons, Mukhtiar Chandio, then member of district council, and Mukhtiar Chandio, head of Tumandar Council. They were killed when a group of armed men attacked their residence in Ahmed Colony in Mehar taluka on Jan 17, 2018. One of the attackers was also killed in retaliatory fire by the inmates.

The counsel for Burhan Chandio stated that on the day of incident, Burhan was at a rally. The police have recorded the statements of the participants of the rally.

The lawyer for the complainant, Umme Rubab Chandio, stated that he was also attacked and accordingly he informed the trial court. Thousands of people thronged the trial court in Dadu on their behalf at every hearing. I am receiving threats of serious consequences.

The accused's lawyer stated that Umme Rubab and her lawyer have been provided with the Rangers security.

Justice Salahuddin said in a dialogue with the complainant's lawyer that this is a serious case regarding tribalism.

The court rejected the bail application of accused Ali Gohar Chandio and upheld the interim bail of Member Sindh Assembly Burhan Chandio. The court also rejected the application filed against Sardar Chandio's bail.

The court ordered to withdraw the petition filed by Sardar Chandio in the Sindh High Court against conducting the trial.

The court ordered the trial court to charge the accused within 15 days and the proceedings of the case in the trial court should not be delayed.