A shocking incident at Civil Sandeman Hospital in Quetta has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of healthcare professionals and the manner in which criminal investigations are conducted.
According to reports, an individual identified as Humayun, who was working as a lift operator at Civil Sandeman Hospital, allegedly entered the hospital premises during broad daylight and threw acid on a doctor named Dr. Mahnoor before fleeing the scene.
Dr. Mahnoor sustained severe burn injuries, with reports suggesting that approximately 30 to 70 percent of her body was affected by the acid attack. An FIR was subsequently registered, and law enforcement agencies initiated efforts to trace the suspect.
After locating the accused, police reportedly killed him in an encounter. The police operation was allegedly led by SHO Jawad Haider. While this development was widely circulated in the media, several important legal and investigative questions remain unanswered.
The FIR in this case was reportedly registered under provisions relating to acid attacks under Pakistani law. Acid violence is considered one of the most serious offences, carrying severe punishments, including life imprisonment and lengthy mandatory prison sentences. Furthermore, if such an attack takes place in a public setting and targets a public servant or falls within the scope of creating fear and insecurity in society, relevant provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act may also be invoked.
However, an important question arises: what could have motivated a lift operator to target a doctor in such a brutal manner? Investigators must determine whether the accused acted independently or whether he was used as a tool by someone else who planned and orchestrated the attack.
If there were individuals behind the scenes who directed, financed, encouraged, or facilitated the crime, they too must be identified and prosecuted under the law. Establishing criminal conspiracy, common intention, or abetment requires a thorough investigation supported by evidence.
Critics argue that the police encounter may have eliminated the only person who could have revealed whether any other individuals were involved in planning the attack. The suspect could have been interrogated to uncover the complete chain of events, including any possible links to those who may have instigated or assisted in the commission of the offence.
These concerns have led to protests within Quetta’s medical community. Doctors in various hospitals have reportedly suspended non-emergency services and are demanding a transparent inquiry into the incident. Their primary demand is the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to conduct an independent and comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying the actual masterminds behind the attack.
Medical professionals have also called for justice not only for Dr. Mahnoor but also for the young man who attempted to save her during the incident and reportedly suffered burn injuries himself.
This tragic case highlights a broader concern regarding police encounters and their impact on the criminal justice process. While the immediate suspect may no longer be alive, questions regarding the potential involvement of others may remain unresolved unless a proper investigation is carried out.
The criminal justice system functions most effectively when cases are decided through evidence, fair investigation, and judicial scrutiny. Courts exist to determine guilt after examining all available facts and evidence. Any investigation that fails to uncover the complete truth risks denying justice to victims and society alike.
The Quetta acid attack case serves as a reminder that accountability should extend beyond the person who physically commits a crime. Those who plan, facilitate, or encourage such acts must also be identified and brought before the law.
Disclaimer: The facts discussed above are based on publicly reported information and allegations surrounding the incident. Any individual accused of a criminal offence is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.