ISLAMABAD, June 11: An upper court judge on Monday began investigations into the murder of additional registrar of the Supreme Court Syed Hammad Raza and directed the SP (Investigations), Islamabad Police, to appear before the inquiry commission on Tuesday.
Justice Abdul Shakoor Paracha of the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court, after formally opening the case, called for evidence from anyone about the murder of the apex court official. However, no one came forward to furnish any sort of testimony.
The judge then issued a notice to SP (Investigations) Ashfaque Ahmad to appear before the commission and furnish details of the probe so far made into the murder.
Syed Hammad Raza was murdered in his house on May 14. His family members said it was a case of targeted killing. This, however, was refuted by the government which billed it a robbery attempt.
The government appointed a judge of the district court, Islamabad, but that was turned down by the Supreme Court which said the inquiry officer should not be less than a superior court judge. The Lahore High Court, on directives from the apex court, nominated Justice Abdul Shakoor Paracha for this inquiry.
Meanwhile, Justice Paracha dismissed a petition filed by a senior high court lawyer Shah Khawar Advocate in which the latter had drawn the attention of the inquiry judge towards some points which the advocate believed could provide important tips for investigations. The judge said it had become infructuous after investigations into the case got under way. The application was filed on June 1.
Shah Khawar Advocate in his petition had said the disclosure by Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao and Islamabad Police that Mr Hammad was killed during a robbery bid and four people involved in the murder had been arrested was a big development and should be called for with material proofs immediately.
The lawyer has also drawn attention of the learned judge towards the fact that innocent people might be implicated in the case and requested that all records of the Islamabad Police should be called for to prove their veracity. The petitioner had also requested for a day-to-day hearing of the case, which was rejected on Monday.
