Ume Rubab Chandio. Photo: X
The Dadu District Court on Monday acquitted all eight accused, including two Pakistan Peoples Party MPAs, in the high-profile murder case of lawyer Ume Rubab Chandio’s grandfather, father and uncle.
Rubab prosecuted the case regarding the murder of his father, Mukhtiar Chandio; her grandfather, Raees Karamullah Chandio, and her uncle, Kamil Chandio, who were gunned down in broad daylight at Ahmed Colony in Mehar Taluka on January 17, 2018. The case had been ongoing for over eight years, with 392 hearings during the trial.
Additional Sessions Judge and Model Criminal Trial Court Judge Hussain Kalor, who had reserved the sentence a month ago, in his order delivered today stated that no evidence was found to prove the charges against the accused, including Sardar Ahmed Khan Chandio and Burhan Khan Chandio, and therefore ordered their release.
Ahead of the verdict, strict security measures were implemented. Police forces, including 30 station house officers from across the district, six deputy superintendents of police and 589 personnel, were deployed and roadblocks were enforced within a two kilometer radius of the courthouse.
Read more: In the midst of feudalism, Umme Rubab marches barefoot to fight for justice
Reacting to the verdict, Rubab expressed his determination, saying, “My spirits are high. The world is shocked that the feudal lords of Sindh are being given permission to commit murder. I will challenge the verdict in the high court.”
Her lawyer, Salahuddin Panhwar, confirmed that an appeal would be filed with the Sindh High Court against the decision.
Read also: Two PPP MPAs indicted in a 2018 triple murder case
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman strongly criticized the acquittal, saying: “The court’s decision has once again proved that the judicial system is subservient to the powerful feudal lords.”
“I salute the daughter of the nation, Ume Rubab Chandio, for her relentless fight for justice,” he added.
Addressing the PPP chairman, he asked, “Isn’t Ume Rubab Chandio a daughter of Sindh?”
He further criticized the system, asking, “Are the powerful and feudal lords your favourites?”
The JI chief called on political parties and human rights organizations to stand by Rubab in her quest for justice.
ودیرہ شاهی جیت گیا گیا, insaf har گیا, the criminal court is indicted in the murder case of ام رباب کاندیو دہاد چھھا کی کیس کیس بری كو بری کی دیافیصلی نہ پیر ثیافیصلی نہ پبر ث insaf تقتی ور جاجیردارک کے کی لودی کی کیس
قوم کی بتی ام رباب کاندیو کی تسریکی کہے کو سلام۔ People’s Party who… pic.twitter.com/DOqnqSZTxa— Naeem ur Rehman (@NaeemRehmanEngr) 30 March 2026
