FIR Against Dr Shahnawaz Kumbhar Disposed Off

2 FIR Against Dr Shahnawaz Kumbhar Disposed Off by Mirpurkhas Antiterrorism Court

Umerkot, Pakistan – September 29, 2024 – In a significant development in the blasphemy case surrounding Dr. Shahnawaz Kumbhar, a The two FIR against Dr Shahnawaz Kumbhar disposed off by the Antiterrorism Court of Mirpurkhas .FIRs (FIR Nos. 123/2024 and 124/2024) filed against him, declaring them false. This decision comes amid rising tensions and violence following accusations against Dr. Kumbhar.

The court, during its session on Saturday, not only cleared Dr. Shahnawaz of the charges but also remanded 18 suspects in judicial custody until October 2. Among the suspects, nine were apprehended earlier, while the remaining nine were arrested by Umerkot police and presented before the court. The identified suspects include Lakhmeer, Arshad Ali, Aleem Samejo, Mashooq Khaskheli, Fakeer Mohammad Palijo, Mohammad Saleem Sand, Badar Panhwar, Abdul Ghaffar, and Daud Ranghar.

In addition to the blasphemy allegations, the court addressed the violent protests that erupted on September 17, resulting in the setting ablaze of a police van. Nine individuals were sentenced out of the 150 charged in connection with that incident, emphasizing the court’s commitment to maintaining order during the unrest.

The dismissal of the FIRs against Dr. Shahnawaz is particularly noteworthy, as they were filed at the Sindhri police station for allegedly attacking a police party. The court’s ruling indicates a lack of evidence to support the claims, which has implications for the ongoing investigations into the broader context of the blasphemy allegations.

Ibrahim Kumbhar, the complainant and brother-in-law of Dr. Shahnawaz, expressed concern over the handling of the investigation, particularly the change of the investigation officer without consulting the bereaved family. He stated that the transfer of the investigation to the Mirpurkhas DSP would not impact the inquiry’s effectiveness.

The case has drawn attention from various political and religious groups. Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi, chief of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), reacted strongly to the situation, condemning the registration of what he termed false cases against TLP leadership. He warned against perceived conspiracies and called for an impartial investigation into the Umerkot incident.

As the situation develops, the court’s dismissal of the FIRs against Dr. Shahnawaz and the judicial actions taken against the suspects signify a crucial moment in addressing the complex and sensitive issues surrounding blasphemy laws in Pakistan.