DHQ hospital violence: Health EDO charged with ‘misleading court’

MNA Jamshed Dasti, 50 others exonerated after EDO, 6 others withdraw allegations.

MULTAN:

A case has been lodged in Dera Ghazi Khan against the Muzaffargarh Health Executive District Officer (EDO) Dr Aashiq Malik and six others for misleading police and changing their statement before the court.

The EDO and the six people were witnesses in a case against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MNA Jamshed Dasti and 50 others who were accused of beating doctors and paramedical staff at the Muzaffarhgarh DHQ Hospital almost eight months ago.

The case was being prosecuted in an Anti Terrorism Court in Dera Ghazi Khan. Dr Malik had been the Muzaffargarh DHQ hospital medical superintendent at the time. More than 30 people were injured, including more than 10 doctors, 10 nurses and paramedical staff.



At the last hearing of the case on December 22, 2012, all seven witnesses changed their statements and told the court that the suspects were all innocent. Upon this, Dasti and 50 other accused were exonerated.

City Police’s SI Muhammad Akram then submitted an application in Civil Lines Police Station against Dr Aashiq Malik and the six other officials for misleading the police and the court.



Civil Lines SHO Malik Ramzan Shahid said an FIR has been registered under Section 213 of the PPC.

He said arrests would be made soon.

A police official speaking on anonymity said the officials had applied for bail before arrest before the court of the Dera Ghazi Khan sessions judge.

Sheikh Muhammad Saleem, an advocate at the high court, told The Express Tribune that the accused could be sentenced to over seven years in prison and fined Rs500,000.

EDO Health Dr Malik was not willing to comment on the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2013.