Custodial killing: SHC orders JIT to submit report

The Sindh High Court on Wednesday directed the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to submit its final progress report in the case of 22-year-old Yaseen Mari, who was allegedly killed in a staged police encounter following illegal detention.

A two-member bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput heard the petition filed by Mari's family. JIT officials informed the court that notices had been issued to relevant parties but sought more time for progress.

Justice Rajput expressed displeasure, noting that the court sought a report within a month, yet 11 months had passed without progress.

The bench granted one final month, directing that the JIT must present its report at the next hearing without fail.

Petitioner's counsel Advocate Aleem Akhtar alleged that police were protecting their colleagues, including SSP Tanveer Tanyo and former SHO Qurban Kalhoro, who were allegedly involved in the killing. He claimed that the then SHO of Daulatpur, Qurban Kalhoro, demanded Rs700,000 for Yaseen's release, and when the family could not pay, Yaseen was killed in a fake encounter.

A police press release issued on May 5, 2024, presented Yaseen as a criminal shot in an encounter. However, the post-mortem and visible torture marks on his neck and body suggested he died under custody before being shot to fabricate the encounter.