Probe into Pak Hindu medical student’s death remains stuck

Larkana, Sep 23 (IANS) Even as massive protests broke out across Sindh to demand justice in the mysterious death of a Hindu medical girl student in hostel, here last week, there has not been much progress in the probe.

According to reports in Pakistani media, the Hindu community staged protests in Ghotki, Larkana, Karachi and other places in Sindh alleging that Nimrita was murdered.

The civil society, family members and people from all walks of life condemned the death, staged protests and took out candlelight marches. Protests and rallies were also conducted to demand justice for Nimrata.

Nimrita was found dead under mysterious circumstances in her hostel room at the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University on September 16.

Meanwhile, the case is caught up in a legal tangle as Nimrita's family has refused to register an FIR, according to a report in 'Jang'. Vishal, Nimrita's brother has refused to file an FIR saying he will do so only when he gets the report of the judicial inquiry, it said.

Ghotki's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Masood Bangash said he would try to convince Nimrita's brother and other relatives to get the FIR registered. "It is hampering probe," he said.

The police said they would not file an FIR until they received the forensic report. "we are waiting for the forensic report. If the family members don't file an FIR, we will," said Bangash.

Two suspects have been arrested and 32 people detained in the case so far. Without an FIR, it would be difficult to move forward, the police said.

Meanwhile, the judicial probe announced by the interior ministry hit a roadblock after the chief judicial magistrate refused to conduct the probe saying the Sindh High Court Registrar had not yet notified about it, according to a report in 'Dawn'.

According to another media report, one of the accused Mehran Abro had earlier claimed Nimrita was in love with him and wanted to marry him.