‘Defective’ probe into Maha Shah’s death irks SHC

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday took exception to the “defective” investigation in the Dr Maha Shah death case and reserved its order on the bail applications of two of the nominated accused.

Junaid Khan and Waqas Hasan had approached the SHC for obtaining bail after the recalling of their bail by a sessions court. They were booked by the police in a case pertaining to the death of a practising doctor at a private hospital who had allegedly shot herself at her DHA house on August 18 after being harassed and poisoned by the accused.

According to the police, Khan, Hasan and Dr Irfan Qureshi not only subjected Dr Maha to mental and physical torture and threats but also lured her into using drugs, which later caused her death.

According to the family of the doctor, she had told them that she was being threatened with dire consequences and humiliated. She also allegedly told them that she would end her life.

The court took exception to the police investigation and asked the investigating officer why Dr Qureshi’s name was removed from the case and later not challenged before the appellate court.

The IO said the police did not find sufficient evidence against Dr Qureshi in the case. The accused had sought confirmation of their pre-arrest bail, saying that they wanted to face the trial court’s proceedings but feared being arrested by the police. After hearing the arguments of the counsel, the court reserved the order on his clients’ pre-arrest bail applications.