IO given time to file charge sheet against Haleem Adil, others in DSP torture case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) has directed the investigating officer to submit a final charge sheet against Sindh PTI president Haleem Adil Sheikh, former MPA Raja Azhar and others in a case pertaining to rioting, attacking a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and torching his official van.

Sheikh, along with other senior PTI leaders, including former lawmakers, was booked in multiple cases linked to violence and arson during protests against the arrest of their party chief and former prime minister Imran Khan on May 9.

The former Sindh Assembly opposition leader, ex-MPA Raja Azhar, and former MNA Muhammad Akram Cheema, along with others, have been booked in a case lodged at the Mubina Town police station for their alleged involvement in torturing DSP Jumma Din and torching his official vehicle on May 10.

As the case came up before the ATC-XV judge, Haleem Adil and Raja Azhar were produced from jail while Cheema and two other accused — Israr Ahmed and Abid Jilani — turned up on bail. The investigating officer, Sheikh Abdul Saeed, sought time to submit the final charge sheet. Allowing his request, the judge adjourned the hearing until December 4.

The case was registered under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage to amount of one hundred rupees), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) and 337-A (shajjah) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) read with Section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) at the Mobina Town police station on the complaint of DSP Din.

The complainant stated that Akram Cheema, Captain (retd) Jameel Ahmed and 14 unidentified people travelling in a double cabin vehicle and on four motorcycles intercepted his vehicle on Abul Hassan Ispahani Road near the Safari Park flyover while he was returning home. They dragged him out of his official van, beat him and set the vehicle ablaze, he alleged, adding that they also snatched his valuables.

Meanwhile, the same court deferred indictment of Haleem Adil, Raja Azhar, Khurram Sher Zaman and over two dozen party activists in a case lodged at Ferozabad police station over rioting on May 9.

He deferred the indictment until December 18 due to the absence of an accused, Ameen Khan.