Dr Vailani’s blasphemy case: Complainant ‘misunderstood’

Doctor away from the city, to return when case is disposed of.

KARACHI: Muhammad Faizan, the worker of a pharmaceutical company who accused Dr Naushad Vailani of blasphemy, has withdrawn his case, stating, “I misunderstood the doctor and lodged a case against him. It was a mistake.”

Dr Naushad Vailani, a Hyderabad-based general physician, is innocent, declares the cases’ investigation officer (IO) Javed Shaikh. But Dr Vailani, along with his family members, has left the city to avoid any attack by religious groups.

His house located in Mubarak Colony is locked up and according to his neighbours, the family has moved to a safer place after the incident. “The family is afraid and are far away from here. We cannot give you any more information,” said Kareem Khawaja, a neighbour.

Not only his house, but his clinic in Saddar was also closed and a few patients were asking nearby shopkeepers about why his clinic’s shutter was down. But nearby shopkeepers avoided answering any queries. “We don’t know about the doctor. He might be abroad,” one shopkeeper muttered.

The “blasphemy” took place on December 9 and the case was registered at Cantt police station on December 11. After a few hours, Dr Vailani was taken by police in an armoured personnel carrier to the SP office and following initial investigation, he was released.  “It is a very sensitive case. We cannot keep anyone in custody until or unless the offense is proved against him,” said Shaikh. “We have collected evidence that proved that the doctor is innocent. The case has been forwarded to the deputy public prosecutor for his legal opinion. I think it will be disposed of,” he said.

The IO further said that witnesses mentioned in the FIR are avoiding coming to the police station and despite many attempts, the investigators have not been able to record their statements.

The complainant and his witness had mentioned in the FIR that Dr Vailani threw the visiting card of Muhammad Faizan into the dustbin. Since Muhammad is the name of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) therefore, according to the complainant, it was a blasphemy case. The police lodged the case No. 306/10 under Section 295-C through which one can be sentenced to death.

Talking to The Express Tribune, SP Investigation Ghulam Nabi Keerio said that neither was the complete name of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) written on the visiting card nor did Dr Vailani knowingly throw the visiting card. He said that many religious leaders reached the police station after the incident. Besides, they have also consulted with religious scholars of different sects. “All are of the view that this is not a blasphemy case,” he said. The police are ready to provide security to the doctor, but he is frightened and that is why he has left his the house. “His lawyer is in contact with us and we hope the case will be disposed of within one week.”

Maulana Taj Muhammad Naahiyon, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Hyderabad president, said he and his party are still waiting to get the final opinion of Muttahida Tehrik-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwat. “At the moment, we cannot reach a conclusion about whether [Dr Vailani’s case] is a blasphemy case or not.

After consultation with muftis and other religious scholars, we have forwarded the case to the local chapter of the Khatm-e-Nabuwat body to reassess the matter,” said Naahiyon.

Dr Vailani’s lawyer Ashfaque Ahmed said that some people were threatening his client and that is why he has left the city. “My client is a renowned physician in Hyderabad and has been practicing for the last 30 years. After the disposal of the case, he will come back and resume his work.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2010.