Dadu court acquits all accused in Ume Rubab Chandio family murder case

The Dadu District Court on Monday acquitted all eight accused, including two Pakistan People’s Party MPs, in the high-profile murder case of lawyer Ume Rubab Chandio’s grandfather, father and uncle.

Rubab was prosecuting the case involving the murder of his father, Mukhtiar Chandio; his grandfather, Raees Karamullah Chandio, and uncle, Kamil Chandio, who were shot dead in broad daylight at Ahmed Colony in Mehar Taluka on January 17, 2018. The case had been going on for over eight years, with 392 hearings during the trial.

Additional Sessions Judge and Model Criminal Trial Court Judge Hussain Kalor, who had reserved the verdict a month ago, said in his order issued today that no evidence was found to prove the charges against the accused, including Sardar Ahmed Khan Chandio and Burhan Khan Chandio, and hence ordered their release.

Before the verdict, strict security measures were implemented. Police forces, including 30 station house officers from across the district, six deputy superintendents of police and 589 constables, were deployed and road closures were imposed within a two-kilometre radius of the courthouse.

Learn more: Amid feudalism, Umme Rubab walks barefoot to fight for justice

Reacting to the verdict, Rubab expressed his determination saying, “I am in a good mood. The world is shocked that the feudal lords of Sindh are getting permission to commit murder. I will challenge the verdict in the High Court.”

His lawyer, Salahuddin Panhwar, confirmed that an appeal would be filed with the Sindh High Court against the decision.

Read also: Two PPP MPAs charged in 2018 triple murder case

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman sharply criticized the acquittal, saying: “The court’s decision has proven once again that the justice system is subservient to the powerful feudal lords.”

“I salute the daughter of the nation, Ume Rubab Chandio, for her fierce fight for justice,” he added.

Addressing the PPP chairman, he asked, “Isn’t Ume Rubab Chandio a girl from Sindh?

He further criticized the system by asking: “Are the powerful and feudal lords your favorites?”

The JI leader urged political parties and human rights organizations to support Rubab in his quest for justice.