Dadu court acquits all accused in Ume Rubab Chandio's family murder case

Rubab says her spirits are high and she will challenge the verdict

Dadu district court on Monday acquitted all eight accused, including two Pakistan Peoples Party MPAs, in the high-profile murder case of Advocate Ume Rubab Chandio’s grandfather, father, and uncle.

Rubab was pursuing the case regarding the murder of her father, Mukhtiar Chandio; her grandfather, Raees Karamullah Chandio, and her uncle, Kamil Chandio, who were gunned down in broad daylight in Ahmed Colony in Mehar Taluka on January 17, 2018. The case had been ongoing for over eight years, with 392 hearings taking place during the trial.

Additional Sessions Judge and Model Criminal Trial Court Judge Hussain Kalor, who had reserved the verdict a month ago, stated in his order issued today that no evidence was found to prove the charges against the accused, including Sardar Ahmed Khan Chandio and Burhan Khan Chandio, and consequently ordered their release.

Ahead of the verdict, stringent security measures were implemented. Police forces, including 30 station house officers from across the district, six deputy superintendents of police and 589 personnel, were deployed, and road closures were enforced within a two-kilometre radius of the courthouse.

Read More: Amidst feudalism, Umme Rubab marches barefoot to fight for justice

Reacting to the verdict, Rubab expressed her determination, stating, “My spirits are high. The world is shocked that the feudal lords in Sindh are granted a licence to commit murder. I will challenge the verdict in the high court.”

Her lawyer, Salahuddin Panhwar, confirmed that an appeal would be filed in the Sindh High Court against the decision.

Also Read: Two PPP MPAs indicted in 2018 triple-murder case

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman strongly criticised the acquittal, saying, "The court's decision has once again proven that the justice system is subservient to the powerful feudal lords."

“I salute the daughter of the nation, Ume Rubab Chandio, for her relentless fight for justice,” he added.

Addressing the PPP chairman, he questioned, “Isn’t Ume Rubab Chandio a daughter of Sindh?”

He further criticised the system, asking, “Are the powerful and feudal lords your favourites?”

The JI chief urged political parties and human rights organisations to stand by Rubab in her pursuit of justice.

وڈیرہ شاہی جیت گئی، انصاف ہار گیا،کرمنل کورٹ نے ام رباب چانڈیو کے والد، دادا اور چچا کے قتل کیس میں نامزد تمام ملزمان کو بری کر دیا۔فیصلے نے پھر ثابت کردیا نظام انصاف طاقت ور جاگیر داروں کے گھر کی لونڈی ہے۔
قوم کی بیٹی ام رباب چانڈیو کی تاریخی جدوجہد کو سلام۔ پیپلزپارٹی جو قوم… pic.twitter.com/DOqnqSZTxa

— Naeem ur Rehman (@NaeemRehmanEngr) March 30, 2026