KARACHI: Sindh High Court Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M. Shaikh on Tuesday directed the provincial police chief to supervise the investigation of the murder of Tania Khaskheli inside her house in Jhangara town near Sehwan in Dadu.

The chief justice had on Saturday taken notice of the murder of the 19-year-old and directed the deputy inspector general of police (DIG) of Hyderabad, the SSP of Jamshoro and the investigating officer of the case to appear in court along with a progress report and relevant record.

The chief justice had taken notice of the incident after it was reported in the media that Tania, a student, was allegedly gunned down by a landlord, Khan Nohani, at Jhangara, in the victim’s house as she and her family turned down his marriage proposal.

The media reports also quoted the victim’s father, Ghulam Qadir Khaskheli, as saying that he was receiving threats of dire consequences after he raised a voice against murder of his daughter.

Tania’s sisters are also reported to have stopped going to school as the victim’s family members are apprehending threats to their lives.

Complying with the court’s earlier order, the DIG Hyderabad and the SP Jamshoro and investigating officer (IO) of the case appeared before the chief justice along with progress report.

They informed the CJ that the prime suspect, Khan Nohani, and another suspect had been arrested, while the third one was still at large. The court was further informed that the pistol used in the incident had also been recovered from the suspect’s possession.

The DIG assured the court that the third accused would be arrested within shortest possible time.

Victim’s father Khaskheli, who is also the complainant in the case, was also present during the hearing.

He informed the court that their lives were in imminent danger at the hands of the supporters of the feudal lord as they were very influential people.

Taking notice of death threats to Tania’s family, the court directed DIG Hyderabad and SP Jamshoro to personally ensure that no harm was caused either to complainant or his family including school-going daughter. “In case any harm or injury is caused to Tania’s family members, the DIG and SP shall be held personally responsible,” the CJ warned in his order.

The victim’s father also expressed his reservations on the IO.

The SHC CJ directed the inspector general of police to withdraw investigation from present IO and assign the same to a senior, honest and reputable officer.

“The IGP shall himself supervise the investigation being conducted by new IO and submit periodical progress reports,” the CJ ruled.

The chief justice adjou­rned the hearing of the case till Sept 29 directing the AIG Legal, DIG Hyderabad, SP Jamshoro and IO to ensure their presence in the next hearing along with the progress report.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2017