HYDERABAD, Oct 2: The Sindh High Court, Hyderabad circuit bench, on Monday directed the Director-General Health Services Sindh to form a medical board to examine Abdul Rehman Mari, the principal accused in the Manu Bheel case, and submit his report stating if the accused was suffering from a life-threatening disease.

The Additional Advocate General (AAG) Masood A.Noorani conceded before the court that the board should be constituted and a report be obtained within two weeks. The court fixed the matter for October 17.

Allah Bachayo Soomro filed bail application in FIR No.35/08 under sections 365, 34 PPC, and lodged by Shrimati Dharmi.

It has been stated in the bail application that after confirmation of bail in the said case the accused joined investigation with police and extended full cooperation for ascertaining facts and added that in 1998 the accused had fallen victim to hepatitis-C and he had been under treatment at several hospitals and clinics.

He became a patient of hypertension and the ailment needed proper treatment and clean atmosphere.

He submitted that after the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter, the Sindh High Court Hyderabad circuit bench cancelled his client’s pre-arrest bail on April 25, 2006, after it had been moved by concerned investigating agency on the ground that he was avoiding to join the investigation.

He said that subsequently two more accused Soho Khaskheli and Natho Bheel were granted bail whereas four persons, Sher Khan, Sheral Chandio, Azam, Kazi Jabbar Punjabi and present accused were shown as absconders in the challan submitted under section 344 CrPC.

He said that the accused had voluntarily surrendered before the police on July 18 and his custody was handed over to investigating officer of the crime, who submitted supplementary challan before civil judge and judicial magistrate Digri on July 22.

He maintained that accused was a chronic patient of Hepatitis S-C, diabetic and hypertension and his health had deteriorated in police lock-up for want of proper medicines and constant check-up.

He said that he was admitted to the Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas and he was also produced before apex court in connection with investigation of the case.

He stated that his bail application was submitted before Sessions Judge Mirpurkhas who rejected his bail application that’s why the high court was moved.

He added that twice the present case was disposed of as cancelled by investigation wing of police but Manu Bheel played a drama in order to get cheap publicity by observing hunger strike.