HYDERABAD, Jan 28: The kidnapping for ransom case against the senior vice president of the Sindh PPP (SB), Ameer Bux Umrani, and four others, took a surprising turn on Monday when the defence witness, Mohammad Shareef, denied to have ever met Umrani in connection with the kidnapping of Airaj Ameen Khashkheli and paid ransom money as claimed by Alam Khaskheli, a prime prosecution witness and uncle of the hostage.

Umrani, who was represented by Naseer Abro and Irfan Ali Kalhoro advocates on Monday, recorded his statement before the court, describing the case against him as concocted story.

The other co-accused, Ali Gul, Mithal Khaskheli, Rahib Ghebo and Mir Shahnawaz, also recorded their statement and final arguments would be held on Tuesday.

Umrani claimed that he was called by the SSP, Hyderabad, on May 2, 2001, and was asked to dissociate from the party. When he refused, he was handed over to the CIA, Hyderabad, from where he was transferred to the Bhittai Naggar police station and was subsequently challaned in the kidnapping for ransom case of Airaj Ameen Khaskheli, he remarked.

He claimed that an old enmity existed between his family and that of Khaskhelis, the complainant in the present case. He referred to what he said a false case of murder against his father and uncle in which they were acquitted by the court of law. He also produced certified true copies of the FIR, challan and the judgment, exonerating his uncle and father. He said that this murder case pertained to close relative of Ameen Khaskheli, a former forest officer and father of the hostage.

The defence counsel produced the news clippings, mentioning the arrest of Umrani.

The other co-accused also denied the charges levelled against them.

Alam Khaskheli on Jan 22 in his deposition before the ATA court said that he had met Umrani through his friend, Mohammad Shareef, and had asked him to use his influence for getting his nephew released from the captivity of the dacoits. He also said that he accompanied Shareef to the residence of Umrani where Shareef paid Rs1.5 million to him as ransom to be given to the dacoits.