HYDERABAD: The judge of Model Criminal Trial Court-I on Monday rejected bail application of Shah Latif, the adopted son of Sindhi poet Dr Akash Ansari, in the latter’s murder case.

The judge had reserved the order on the plea on June 26 after hearing both parties. Haleema Ansari, the poet’s widow, being one of the victim’s legal heirs, had filed no objection to the Latif’s bail application. But poet’s daughter Mrs Meeran as one of her father’s legal heirs had filed her objection.

Complainant in the case, Ibrahim Ansari, a cousin of Akash, was represented by Sohail Notkani advocate while Sohail Rajput advocate appeared on behalf of the accused.

Notkani argued that the accused had confessed to the crime before the judicial magistrate when he was produced before him. He said his denial of the crime at the stage of bail had become immaterial now. He said sufficient material was on record to connect the accused with the murder because there were ante- and post-mortem injuries suffered by the deceased.

He argued that only Shah Latif was present at the crime scene and he had suffered burn injuries on his foot, besides the injuries on his face and shoulders which had resulted from resistance offered by Akash Ansari. He rebutted defence counsel’s argument also, saying that the accused had tried to remove evidence from the scene by washing the dagger he had used and that he had washed the crime scene and torched the room as well.

Latif’s counsel contended that he made the confession as he was pressured by police in the custody to make such statement.

Dr Allah Bux alias Akash Ansari was found dead in his house on Feb 15 in the area of Bhitai Nagar police station. Police had arrested Akash’s adopted son Shah Latif. The case was registered at the Bhitai Nagar police station.

According to police, the body was found in the victim’s room which was torched by the accused.

Published in Dawn, july 1st, 2025