A Sindh Government investigation has revealed that Dr. Shahnawaz was killed in a staged police encounter in Umerkot. Interior Minister Zia ul Hassan Lanjar disclosed the findings after presenting the report to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
Lanjar confirmed that the inquiry committee concluded Dr. Shahnawaz’s death occurred in a “fake” encounter. He also stated that the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) was involved, and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mirpurkhas was suspended.
The 31-page report was submitted to the Chief Minister earlier in the day.
Lanjar explained that the report focused on the fake encounter while a forensic investigation is ongoing to determine if blasphemy was involved.
The report suggested that Dr. Shahnawaz’s family should file a First Information Report (FIR) against the police officers involved. The government has already contacted the family, offering them complete freedom to take legal action.
If the family chooses not to file the FIR, Lanjar said the state would step in and file it on their behalf.
Lanjar emphasized the importance of a thorough and quick investigation, as this case affects the credibility of the police force. He said it is the government’s duty to ensure law and order and ensure that all institutions stay within their bounds.
Last Friday, a mob seized Dr. Shahnawaz Kumbhar’s body, a suspect in a blasphemy case, and set it on fire after his reported death in a police encounter.
While the situation surrounding Dr. Kumbhar’s death remains unclear, SSP Mirpurkhas, Asad Chaudhry, claimed he was killed in a shootout after allegedly opening fire on the police. Chaudhry also said Dr. Kumbhar was shot by his companion.
