HYDERABAD: The Sukkur police have recommended transfer of a blasphemy case investigation against a Hindu school principal from Ghotki to any other district. The recommendation was made by a board headed by Sukkur range DIG Iqbal Dara to Sindh police’s Crime Branch DIG Javed Akbar Riaz.

Sukkur AIG Dr Jamil Ahmed told Dawn over phone on Friday night that the recommendation had been sent to the Crime Branch DIG on Thursday after following the due process of law. He said the case might be investigated in Hyderabad to ensure safety of the principal who is facing blasphemy charges.

DIG Riaz told Dawn that he had not yet seen the recommendation and might receive it on Saturday for orders which would be issued accordingly.

The blasphemy case was lodged against the principal on the complaint of a student’s father alleging that the principal had uttered derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). It had led to riots in Ghotki, ransacking of a temple and a private school owned by the accused.

The accused, according to police sources, had been shifted to Hyderabad. He has not yet been produced before any court of law and is being kept in ‘protective custody’. His custody was handed over to the Hyderabad range DIG.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2019