HYDERABAD: A model criminal trial court awarded life imprisonment to a man, Jan Mohammed Junejo, for killing a Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) activist, Gul Bhatti, and wounding another person, Saleem Channa, 15 years ago.

Gul Bhatti was murdered on July 28, 2004 in an area falling within the limits of the Qasimabad police station. The FIR was lodged on July 29, 2004 and the charge sheet was submitted on Sept 22, 2005.

The victim’s father, Parwano Bhatti, who had lodged the FIR, died a few years back. He had nominated six suspects, Jan Mohammed, Pakistan Peoples Party-Shaheed Bhutto (PPP-SB) activist Dr Mazhar Memon, and four others in the FIR.

During the course of investigation, police cleared four suspects and submitted a charge sheet against Jan Mohammed Junejo and Dr Mazhar Memon.

The convict, Jan Mohammad Junejo, was on pre-arrest bail in the case and Dr Memon had absconded during the trial. The court has separated Memon’s case.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2019