Pir Umar Jan Sirhindi Gets Bail in Shahnawaz Kunbhar Murder Case in Umerkot

Pir Umar Jan Sirhindi, a leader of Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), was granted a 10-day protective bail by the Circuit Bench of the Sindh High Court. This is in connection with the murder case of Shahnawaz Kunbhar, who was accused of blasphemy.

The court granted pre-arrest interim bail to Sirhindi, the chief of TLP’s south Sindh chapter, against a surety bond of Rs 100,000. Sirhindi, along with DIG Javed Jiskani and several others, has been booked in a case registered on the complaint of Shahnawaz Kunbhar’s family members.

Speaking to media persons outside the court, Sirhindi claimed he played an impartial role during the violent protest in Umerkot and tried to prevent the mob from damaging properties. He expressed disappointment over being implicated in the murder case, stating he worked with senior police and administrative officers to defuse the situation.

Ibrahim Kunbhar, a family member of the deceased, alleged that the accused planned the murder of Shahnawaz in police custody under the pretext of blasphemy. The court has issued notices to all parties and adjourned the hearing until October 14.

Earlier this month, blasphemy charges were filed against Shahnawaz, leading to a violent protest by religious groups in Umerkot. Sirhindi led a rally that forced the police to arrest Shahnawaz, who later surrendered but was killed in a staged encounter. His body was allegedly snatched and set on fire by a mob led by Sirhindi and others.

Advocate Ali Palh and others have filed an application in court, requesting that the names of DIG Jiskani and then SSPs of Umerkot and Mirpurkhas be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL). They also called for a judicial inquiry into Shahnawaz’s murder.

Several religious leaders in Pakistan have demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the blasphemy incident and its aftermath. They condemned the extrajudicial killing of Shahnawaz and the desecration of his body.