Police accused of mishandling murder case

A nine-member legal committee has strongly criticized the police investigation and demanded the immediate removal of the DSP, SHO, in-charge of the Jinnahabad police post, and the investigating officer in the murder case of 13-year-old domestic worker, Iqra.

The accused, Haris Latif, initially confessed to the crime before Judicial Magistrate-III but later retracted his statement after meeting his lawyer, an act the committee claims would not be possible without police collusion.

At a press conference held at the Abbottabad Press Club, former district nazim Sardar Sher Bahadur, advocate Ishaq Zakariya, Naseer Khan Jadoon and others accused the police of shielding the suspect and manipulating the case. They vowed not to accept any compromise in the case, warning that continued police misconduct would spark protests too large for authorities to control.

The committee condemned what it called the police's "hospitality" toward the suspect during his six-day remand, alleging he was treated cold drinks instead of being subjected to proper interrogation. They said the shifting of the suspect's statement under Section 164 CrPC was a serious red flag.

Committee members also questioned how a lawyer was allowed to meet the suspect without submitting a power of attorney. They demanded an explanation for attempts to alter the medical report, asking why, in some cases, justice is swift for police personnel, but delayed or denied for poor victims like Iqra.

Swearing to fight for justice, the speakers said: "Even if we have to take bullets to the chest, we won't back down. What happened to Iqra is a stain on humanity."

They reiterated that Iqra's murder would not be brushed under the rug and warned the police not to operate with impunity.

Background

The incident took place late Friday night (8th Muharram) in Habibullah Colony, where Iqra was found dead at the home of Shahid Latif. His son, Haris Latif, was arrested on suspicion and remanded for six days by Mirpur police. Due to security concerns, he was presented in court early Saturday, where he denied the charges. The court has now sent him to jail on judicial remand.