The Naudero police had arrested Riaz Phulpoto, a manager of the Bhutto estate, following the registration of an FIR against him and his wife, Zahida Jeho.
On Saturday, Phulpoto was produced before the judicial magistrate in Ratodero and was granted four days’ remand in police custody.
Domestic dispute results in murder
According to sources, including senior journalists and police officials, six months ago, the couple got into an intense argument, which soon turned violent. Zahida allegedly grabbed a gun and opened fire on her husband. Although Phulpoto managed to escape unhurt, one of his guards, Mureed Bhutto, was hit by the bullet and died on the spot.
The sources further claimed that following the murder, Phulpoto lodged an FIR against his wife at the Naudero police station and she was, consequently, arrested.
Testing loyalties
Meanwhile, pressured by elders of the Bhutto clan to resolve the matter, Phulpoto claimed to have divorced Zahida, in addition to registering an FIR against her.
However, sources alleged that when Zahida was shifted to a jail in Larkana, Sardar Himmat Ali Kamariyo, who is the chief sardar of many clans, including the Jehos, expressed his displeasure over the arrest and demanded Phulpoto get his wife out on bail.
The elders of the Bhutto clan, in turn, reacted with anger and also discovered that Phulpoto had, in fact, not divorced his wife.
Arrest
Meanwhile, victim Mureed’s father Hoat Khan Bhutto filed a petition in the Sindh High Court circuit bench in Larkana against Phulpoto and Zahida. Following court orders, the Naudero police registered a case against the couple, but were reluctant to arrest them as Phulpoto is said to be influential, sources added.
While addressing a press conference in Naudero last week, Phulpoto blamed Sardar Aamir Bhutto of hatching a conspiracy against him, saying he wanted to kill him. According to sources, the press conference and his allegations against the Bhutto sardar proved to be a turning point and he was finally arrested by the police.
Following Phulpoto’s media address, Sardar Aamir Bhutto immediately contacted MNA Faryal Talpur and apprised her about the entire incident. Sources added that in response, Talpur advised Aamir Bhutto to side with the dignity of the Bhutto family, after which Phulpoto was arrested.
Police hesitant
As it was a high-profile case, the police was not ready to provide any information about it to the media. An official at the Naudero police station who did not want to be named, confirmed to this newspaper that Phulpoto was on remand. When asked whether Zahida Jeho had been arrested, the official replied in the negative, but refused to provide any details.
When contacted, SPO Naudero Liaqat Abbasi, also confirmed the remand, but refused to comment further.
The Sardars’ take
While speaking to The Express Tribune, Sardar Himmat Ali Kamariyo expressed his disappointment over Zahida’s nomination in the case and said that the matter could have been resolved without getting the police involved.
Kamariyo said that he has a lot a respect for Sardar Aamir Bhutto and his community and although Phulpoto is not a Bhutto, he should be given equal treatment. “I cannot just go against Sardar Aamir Bhutto, but it’s my wish that the matter should be resolved amicably without involving the police,” he said.
When contacted, Sardar Aamir Bhutto told The Express Tribune that Phulpoto was an employee of the Bhuttos and, therefore, must keep in mind the difference between himself and the Bhutto elders. He said that his responsibility was to safeguard the interests of his community and, in this regard, he was not ready to sacrifice his community’s dignity for an employee. “I belong to the Bhutto family, which has given huge sacrifices for the country,” he said.
“If a Bhutto is killed without any justification, then as a sardar it’s my duty to ensure justice for the family,” he added.
Responding to Kamariyo’s statements, Bhutto said that he was sure that Kamariyo will ‘take justice’s side’ as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 30th, 2011.
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