Amal Umer murder case: SC directs trial court to conclude within three months

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed a trial court to conclude within three months the murder case of Amal Umer, a 10-year old girl who lost her life when a stray bullet hit her during a police encounter on August 13, 2018.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, heard a suo motu of Amal Umer murder case.

During the course of hearing, additional advocate general Sindh informed the bench that two personnel who shot at Amal Umer were dismissed and a notification for the assistance has been issued to the victim's parents as per the SC directives. It was further informed that the parents of the victim have also been offered financial help.

The Chief Justice, however, observed that the girl had died as a result of police firing so what help the police could offer, adding financial help cannot be an alternative to one's life.

Counsel for the Amal's parents informed that an inquiry against National Medical Center (NMC) has been completed. He submitted that as per investigation the National Medical Center had tampered with the documents and Sindh Healthcare Commission had imposed Rs 0.5 million fine on NMC.

The counsel further submitted that negligence was made in shifting the victim to another hospital in critical condition. Similarly, he submitted that the Chairman National Medical Center refused to accept the report and said that the Center is not responsible for the child's death.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed questioned as to why the Sindh government did not submit the report officially. The Chief Justice directed the Sindh government to share its report with the parents of the victim and held that if they parents have any objection over the report; they can submit it before the court.

When the Chief Justice asked about the present status of the instant case, the court was informed that a challan has been submitted in the trial court.

The bench directing the trial court to conclude the case within three months adjourned further hearing of the case for a month.