Fake encounter case: SHC orders registration of case against ex-SSP Hyderabad, others

26 Sep, 2019

Sindh High Court (SHC) Wednesday ordered registration of a case against Irfan Baloch, former SSP Hyderabad and other policemen for injuring Dr Deepak Kumar to leave him paralyzed in fake police encounter.
A SHC bench headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar issued the order in a petition, moved by the wife of Dr Deepak, who was arrested by SITE Police Hyderabad in April 2015 and was seriously injured by police by dubbing him dacoit Sharif Panhwar.
The court in its order stated that prima facie, police officials have failed to conduct the investigation properly and admittedly till date the police is not sure of victim, in fact, being 'criminal Sharif dacoit' but they (police) admit injuries on victim to be result of their actions (alleged encounter), therefore, it would not be legally justified to let the victim and his family die a miserable life and to permit the police to take shield of suspicion.
Accordingly, the court directed that the petitioner shall register FIR against the then SSP Irfan Baloch and DSP Ahmed All Mughal and other co-accused persons with regard to actions of police (claimed encounter) wherein victim, undeniably received serious injuries and luckily survived. SSP Hyderabad shall ensure FIR is registered within two days, order stated.
The court also directed the Health Secretary to constitute a medical board comprising competent officers of Civil Hospital not below than professors (doctors), surgeons of Civil Hospital Karachi, who shall examine Deepak and the Home Secretary shall ensure that complete medical treatment is provided free of cost.
The Medical Board shall directly submit report whether treatment of the present victim is available in the Pakistan, court stated.
Bench also directed Home Secretary to form Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising of Additional IGP Waliullah Dali and four other persons including one representative of I.S.I and one representative of Intelligence Bureau and two police officers including Aleem Lashari DSP. Court ordered that notification shall be issued within a week after lodgment of FIR.
Bench also directed the Home Secretary Sindh to ensure availability of funds to be incurred in the treatment of Deepak. Though we will decide compensation to be paid by the government, on next date till then Rs 50,000 shall be paid by the Province of Sindh for monthly house expenditure and education of minor son of Deepak, the order added.
Bench also ordered Chief Secretary Sindh to ensure the order is complied with and directed IGP Sindh to provide complete protection to the petitioner and her family members.

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