Dr Rehiana B Ali, sister of an allegedly murdered AJK-UK national Biochemist Farooq Ali in one of the leading hotels in Islamabad is fighting legal battle for determination of culprits behind the heinous crime since years and now seeking justice from Additional Sessions Judge Islamabad (West) Sikandar Khan for judicial inquiry.
She has filed a complaint under Criminal Procedure Code 1898 through counsel Sharafat A Chaudhry before Sessions Court Islamabad alleging that her brother Farooq Ali was murdered during March two years ago in Ramada Hotel Islamabad. She says her brother has been living in Ramada by Wyndham hotel, Club Road, Islamabad since May 2021, adding, “We believe he was murdered on 11th or early hours of 12th March 2022. His body, however, was only ‘discovered’ on 16th March 2022.
The complainant has made respondents in the matter including Chaudhry Riaz Ahmed, Owner of Ramada hotel by Wyndham Islamabad, Afzal Aslam Mirza General Manager, Ramada, Khalid Zaheer Chief Security , Abbas Gul, Front Office Manager, Muhammad Zaheer Front Office Manager, Obaid Al Rehman Abbasi, Assistant Security Officer , Bahar Ali House Keeping Supervisor, Talha Khurshid, Supervisor Executive Lounge, Ramada Hotel, Hamid Nawaz Butler of Executive Lounge, Shehzad Sajid, Minibar waiter, Dr Niaz , On call Doctor for Ramada Hotel, Tariq Mehmood, Sub Inspector/I.O, Police Station Secretariat Islamabad, Qurban Ali Anwar, SHO, Secretariat Police Station and Akram Nagra Inspector Islamabad Police.
During course of hearing in the case on February 22 before the Additional Sessions Judge Islamabad (West) Sikandar Khan, Advocate Gulfam Ashraf appeared on behalf of owner of Ramada Hotel Chaudhry Riaz Ahmed and those staffers of the hotel, accused in the matter. Advocate Gulfam Ashraf filed two applications, seeking exemption from appearance for owner of the Ramada hotel by Wyndham Islamabad Chaudhry Riaz Ahmad on the grounds of death of his brother-in-law whereas furnished reason for exemption of General Manager of the hotel Afzal Aslam Mirza saying he was in engaged in abroad. While representing the police officials in the matter, Advocate Ch Umer Sharif Bajwa appeared before the court.
Granting one time exemption from appearance the judge accepted the application. Over non-appearance of two accused persons who are staffers of the hotel including Talha Khursheed and Hamid Nawaz the court issued their bailable arrest warrants in the sum of Rs10,000 each whereas the Judge directed another accused in the matter Abbas Gul to furnish surety bond of Rs50,000 with one surety till next date of hearing.
Taking a plea on February 22, counsel for owner of the Ramada hotel Islamabad and staffers who are respondents in the matter Advocate Gulfam Asharaf urged the court to acquit his clients on the grounds that there was no incriminating material against them on the face of record. Later, the court adjourned hearing for further proceedings in the matter.
