Mysterious circumstances: Court seeks inquiry report into soldier’s death

Jibran’s autopsy reveals he was shot at close range, not yet ascertained if it was suicide or murder.


Our Correspondent July 31, 2013
The application was later converted into a human right petition by the court. PHOTO: FILE

PESHAWAR:


The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has ordered the chief officer of the Judge Advocate Branch to produce the inquiry report into the death of Jibran Anwar, a soldier.


The orders were issued on Wednesday by a division bench comprising PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Musarrat Hilali while hearing an application filed by Zeeshan Anwar, the deceased soldier’s brother.



Zeeshan had filed an application at the PHC’s Human Rights Directorate claiming his family was told that Jibran was found dead at the Bacha Khan International Airport where he was posted. However, when they inquired about the cause of death, the authorities concealed facts, Zeeshan alleged.

The application was later converted into a human right petition by the court.

During the hearing on Wednesday, officials of the Combined Military Hospital produced Anwar’s autopsy report in court which revealed the deceased had been shot from close range. It could not be ascertained, however, whether it was a case of suicide or murder.

Zeeshan told the bench he was informed by his brother’s friends that his death was probed and the culprits were court-martialled, while the promotion of two high-ranking officials were also stopped.

Zeehsan further said Jibran was found dead at the airport but the army officials called it a suicide. “My brother was of sound mind and had a happy life. Why would he commit suicide?”

He also said his family was neither allowed to see the autopsy report nor did they receive any financial compensation.

The bench then directed that the inquiry report of Jibran’s death be produced in
court and adjourned the case until September 12.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2013.

 

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