A significant verdict has recently been announced in the 2018 Dadu triple murder case. After nearly eight years, the court acquitted all the accused, including influential political figures.
Among those acquitted are Nawab Sardar Khan Chandio and his brother Burhan Khan Chandio, both associated with a political party. The Model Criminal Court in Dadu cleared all eight accused in the case.
The Incident and Aftermath
The tragedy dates back to 2018, when three individuals were brutally murdered in Dadu, Sindh. The victims included the father, grandfather, and uncle of Dr. Mehrubab (a social activist, lawyer, and doctor), whose family had been actively challenging the traditional feudal (Sardari) system in Sindh.
They had established a council aimed at:
- Challenging feudal authority
- Providing fair dispute resolution
- Correcting unjust decisions made under the Sardari system
This resistance reportedly led to tensions, and eventually, the brutal killing of three members of the same family.
The Long Legal Battle
The case gained national attention when the victim’s family approached the then Chief Justice, demanding justice and arrest of the accused. Orders were issued for immediate arrests and a speedy trial.
However, despite these directions:
- The case dragged on for 8 years
- Over 400 court hearings took place
- Key evidence and testimonies became inconsistent over time
Finally, on March 30, 2026, the court acquitted all accused.
Why Were the Accused Acquitted?
The court’s decision was based on several technical and evidentiary grounds:
- Delay in FIR registration: The FIR was filed 16 hours after the incident, which the prosecution failed to justify.
- Contradictory witness statements: Witnesses gave different statements to the police and in court.
- Lack of strong evidence:
- Call Data Records (CDR)
- Forensic reports (PFSA)
- Technical analysis
- were either incomplete or not properly presented.
- Alibi of key accused: One of the main accused was proven to be in another city at the time of the incident.
- “Chance witnesses” issue: Some witnesses were considered unreliable as they were not proven to be present at the scene.
A Bigger Question: Failure of the Criminal Justice System
This case raises a critical question:
If three people were murdered, how did all accused walk free?
The answer points toward systemic flaws:
1. Outdated Laws
Pakistan’s criminal justice system still operates under:
- Criminal Procedure Code (1898)
- Pakistan Penal Code (1860)
These laws are over a century old and contain significant loopholes that need urgent reform.
2. Weak Police Investigation
Courts rely heavily on police investigations. However:
- Evidence collection was inadequate
- Forensic and technical reports were not properly handled
- Chain of custody was incomplete
- Arrests and documentation lacked strength
If investigations are weak, especially in cases involving powerful individuals, justice becomes difficult.
3. Witness Challenges
The system creates a paradox:
- If witnesses are present, their survival raises doubts
- If they are absent, their testimony is considered unreliable
In many cases, even complainants are not present at the crime scene, yet procedural requirements force artificial inclusion of witnesses, weakening cases further.
Impact on Society
Such outcomes have serious consequences:
- Loss of public trust in courts
- Increase in vigilante justice
- Public support for police encounters instead of legal processes
When people feel that courts cannot deliver justice, they begin to seek it outside the system, leading to further instability.
Conclusion
The acquittal in the Dadu triple murder case is not just a legal outcome, it is a reflection of deeper issues within the system.
Without:
- Modern legal reforms
- Strong and independent investigations
- Proper evidence handling
True justice will remain difficult to achieve.
It is often said:
A system of disbelief may survive, but a system of injustice cannot.
For any society to function, justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.