LAHORE: No forensic evidence could be taken from any of the suspected “crime scenes” in the case of murder of law officer Shahbaz Tatla, it is learnt.

As this “perfect crime” remains unsolved despite ample digital footprint, it is an alarming situation that no forensic evidence could be taken from the crime scenes under the use of SSP Mukhafar Adeel, say sources.

Sources say it also remains unclear how a house was rented by the SSP in the posh area of Faisal Town.

After almost a month-long investigation, police have declared the murder of law officer Shahbaz Tatla “a perfect crime by a cunning killer” leaving the investigators in the dark.

Sources told Dawn that the suspect left no evidence on the crime scene (Faisal Town) to establish his link with the murder of Tatla. Police higher-ups believe, sources say, that the suspected killer of Tatla has successfully dodged the investigators as he not only eliminated the weapon(s) from the crime scene but also disposed of the dead body.

A senior police officer associated with the investigation process told Dawn that after a month-long process they could only establish that law officer Shahbaz Tatla had been murdered. He said the last location of Tatla was traced on a motorway where he was seen heading towards the house he and Mukhafar had taken on rent to organise suspicious activities.

According to the Calls Data Record (CDR) and the CCTV footages, Tatla had not left the said residence since then.

As the SSP disappeared under mysterious circumstances at that time, it was suspected that he could be involved in the murder of Tatla, said the official.

The official added that according to the information obtained by the detectives, Mukhafar was a “brilliant police officer” who seemed to have planned a perfect crime to avoid his arrest.

“SSP Mukhafar Adeel had secured second position all over the country from a batch of 171 civil services officers (35th common) who passed out in 2006. Mukhafar had arranged a plastic drum at the rented house showing as if he was going to stage a play/ceremony there for the amusement of some participants,” he said.

On the information that the dead body of Tatla might be disposed of in any portion of the rented house, the joint teams of the police and forensic experts inspected the place several times to collect evidence but to no avail.

He said police also arranged labourers for digging at various portions of the house but that too did not prove fruitful. The law enforcers obtained CDR of the law officer and the SSP picked up some of their friends for questioning and found no clue to the murder of Tatla and the hideout of Mukhafar.

Answering a question, he said police had collected sufficient evidence that the crime scene was washed/destroyed the day the incident occurred.

About the evidence to burn the body of the law officer with acid, he said police were clueless on this front as well. He, however, said police found some clues to the effect that both officials had developed dispute over monetary and family matters.

The officer denied the reports that SSP Mukhafar had fled Pakistan saying that as police had recommended to put his name on the Exit Control List, they had it confirmed that he didn’t leave the country. He expressed his apprehension that the suspect could use illegal ways to leave Pakistan as he had served the Federal Investigation Agency.

Meanwhile, people are in a fix how can a professionally trained police officer commit a crime and remain untraced in the presence of Lahore Capital City Police Officer Zulfiqar Hameed who is known for his role in solving many cases.

Some officials believe that the situation became complicated by the fact that alleged mastermind Mukhfar Adeel appeared before SSP Investigation Zeeshan Asghar. Adeel initially pretended as complainant of the disappeared lawyer while appearing before the SSP, they said.

The officials criticised the role of the Special Branch for its failure to prepare a report of the incident.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2020