KARACHI: Former Senior Superintend of Police (SSP) Malir Rao Anwar on Thursday decided to withdraw his plea seeking exemption from appearance in Naqeebullah Mehsud murder case.
The decision was made by former SSP after the Sindh High Court (SHC) hinted at rejecting exemption from appearance to Rao Anwar in the case.
The plea of ex-SSP, seeking exemption from personal appearance in the case, was heard by Chief Justice of SHC, Ahmed Ali Shaikh.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh remarked: “If we grant exemption from appearance, doesn’t it special treatment to you?
Amir Mansoob, Rao Anwar’s counsel argued that a report was issued by sensitive institutions concerning the security threats to Rao Anwar.
SHC CJ remarked that the court would order the trial court for conducting hearings in the case on a daily basis. The SHC CJ remarked that the court rejects the plea.
The counsel pleaded the court for not issuing the rejection orders and wanted to withdraw the exemption plea. After the petitioner decided to withdraw the plea, the court terminated the petition.
The former police officer had earlier filed a petition in a trial court to seek exemption from appearance in the case, however, it was rejected. Later, Anwar had moved the high court to challenge the trial court’s verdict.
Naqeebullah Mehsud was killed on January 13, 2018, in Karachi during a fake encounter allegedly staged by Rao Anwar, the senior superintendent of police of Karachi’s Malir district.