Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar’s Tragic Death Sparks Calls for Justice in Pakistan
In Umerkot, Pakistan, an autopsy report has revealed that Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar, who was arrested in a blasphemy case and later killed in a “staged encounter” in Mirpurkhas, showed signs of “severe torture” before his death. The findings, following the exhumation of Kunbhar’s body on October 16, have led to demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The preliminary post-mortem report noted multiple injuries, including fractured bones. The Special Medical Board agreed that the gunshot wounds to Kunbhar’s chest were sufficient to cause death. However, the fractures of his lower ribs were attributed to blunt force trauma. The report, signed by several doctors, disclosed that four of Kunbhar’s ribs were broken.
Kunbhar’s family has accused the District Headquarters Hospital in Mirpurkhas of concealing evidence of torture and called for an investigation against the doctors responsible for the first autopsy. They demand interrogation under Section 201 of the Pakistan Penal Code for allegedly covering up the true cause of death. The family also alleged that Kunbhar was tortured at the residence of a prominent religious figure before his death and that his body was burned to destroy evidence.
An investigative report by the Sindh Human Rights Commission highlighted legal violations, administrative failures, and negligence by law enforcement in Kunbhar’s extrajudicial killing. The report noted substantial shortcomings in protecting the victim’s rights and a lack of decisive action against those responsible for his death. Blasphemy remains a significant issue in Pakistan, often exploited by authorities and extremist groups, leading to violence and death.
Doubts Revealed
Blasphemy case -: A blasphemy case involves accusations against someone for showing disrespect or lack of reverence for religious beliefs or sacred things. In some countries, like Pakistan, these cases can be very serious and lead to severe punishments.
Staged encounter -: A staged encounter is when authorities pretend that a person was killed in a shootout or confrontation, but in reality, the person was killed in a different way, often unlawfully.
Autopsy -: An autopsy is a medical examination of a body after death to find out how the person died. It helps doctors and investigators understand if the death was natural or caused by something else.
Post-mortem -: A post-mortem is another term for an autopsy. It is the process of examining a body after death to determine the cause of death.
Sindh Human Rights Commission -: The Sindh Human Rights Commission is an organization in the Sindh province of Pakistan that works to protect and promote human rights. They investigate cases where people’s rights might have been violated.
Extrajudicial killing -: An extrajudicial killing is when someone is killed by authorities without a legal trial or due process. It is considered illegal and a violation of human rights.