Trial in the death case of Farooq Ali, a UK national found dead in his hotel room in Islamabad on March 16, 2022, has reached its final stage, with the verdict expected tomorrow on May 29, 2025. His sister, Dr. Rehiana B. Ali, has alleged that her brother was murdered in a coordinated act, with involvement and cover-up by hotel staff, security personnel, and police officials.
Farooq Ali had been residing at Ramada Hotel since May 2021. His body was discovered after he failed to respond to repeated calls, prompting his sister in the UK to alert the hotel. Despite the suspicious circumstances, the police declared his death natural and refused to conduct a postmortem, claiming sufficient samples had already been collected. A court order for a superficial postmortem was also ignored. After observing inconsistencies and signs suggesting foul play, Dr. Rehiana filed an application with the police, accusing several individuals of orchestrating and concealing a planned murder. When police delayed FIR registration, she approached a Justice of Peace, resulting in FIR No. 204/22 under Sections 302/34 PPC, though the police later recommended cancellation.
The investigation has been marred by alleged forensic failures, including the non-collection of key biological samples, improper crime scene handling, and omission of critical CCTV footage and food evidence. Despite a court-ordered exhumation, which revealed procedural lapses, progress remained sluggish, raising concerns about a systemic attempt to suppress the truth.
Representing the complainant since the tragic event, Advocate Sharafat Ali Chaudhry has profoundly argued the case before various judicial forums, firmly establishing that Farooq Ali was likely killed on March 11 or 12, with his body discovered several days later. His arguments, supported by forensic inconsistencies and documentary evidence, played a key role in framing charges and moving the trial forward.
Dissatisfied with the official investigation, Dr. Rehiana pursued a private complaint under Section 200 CrPC, initially dismissed but later reinstated by the Islamabad High Court. The complaint and police challan were clubbed, and charges were framed in January 2025. The trial has since seen extensive evidence and testimonies, leading to the final phase of legal arguments.
The complainant maintains that the police were complicit in obstructing justice, misled the family, and ignored court directives. She claims the deceased was last seen alive on March 11, contradicting the defense’s version that he was seen on March 13–15. She also alleges that the hotel management fabricated records and that crucial evidence, including photographs and food samples, were destroyed or excluded.
The defense insists the death was natural and denies all allegations of misconduct or evidence tampering. With judgment now reserved, this case is viewed as a test for justice system to uphold truth, confront institutional flaws, and move beyond procedural complacency. If the prosecution’s claims hold, the court’s decision could set a powerful precedent for accountability in medico-legal investigations.
