The Court of the 1st Additional Sessions Judge in Dadu delivered its judgment in one of Sindh’s most prominent cases, acquitting all defendants by granting them the benefit of doubt. In a comprehensive 223-page ruling, Judge Hassan Ali Kalwar concluded that PPP figures Sardar Ahmed Chandio and his brother Burhan Khan Chandio, along with former SHO Karim Chandio and co-accused Sattar Chandio, Ali Gohar Chandio, Murtaza Chandio, Sikandar Chandio, and Zulfiqar Chandio, were not responsible for the killings of Karamullah Chandio, Mukhtiar Chandio, and Qabil Chandio. The victims were the father, grandfather, and brother of human rights activist Ume Rubab Chandio and were allegedly murdered on January 18, 2018, within the jurisdiction of A-Section Police Station in Mehar, District Dadu.
The proceedings, which spanned nearly eight years, ultimately resulted in the acquittal of all accused individuals. The court observed significant inconsistencies in the testimonies of prosecution witnesses, including apparent embellishments, as well as a notable delay in filing the First Information Report (FIR). In their statements under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the accused denied all allegations related to the triple homicide. Furthermore, claims of abetment and conspiracy against the PPP legislator and his brother were found to be unsubstantiated.
Ahead of the verdict, strict security measures were enforced. Personnel from 30 police stations, supported by six DSPs and approximately 589 officers, were deployed. Authorities also sealed roads within a two-kilometer radius of the court and established multiple checkpoints to maintain order.
In response to the decision, complainant Ume Rubab Chandio expressed determination, stating that her resolve remains unshaken. She criticized the outcome, suggesting that it reflects a system where powerful individuals appear above the law. She also confirmed her intention to challenge the ruling in the High Court. Her counsel, Salahuddin Panhwar, similarly announced plans to file an appeal before the Sindh High Court against the Model Court’s judgment.
Following the verdict, an emotional Ume Rubab, accompanied by her supporters, raised slogans condemning injustice and the system. Meanwhile, supporters of PPP MPA Burhan Khan Chandio and his brother took to the streets in celebration, reportedly engaging in aerial firing despite legal prohibitions. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also issued a statement expressing concern over the court’s ruling.
