Murtaza Bhutto

ENTRIES IN PS REGISTER HAD BEEN STOPPED FOR
ONE NIGHT
KARACHI, Jan 19, 1997: Testifying before the three-member judicial tribunal
on Sunday, a police officer from Clifton police station, assistant sub-inspector
Azhar Iqbal, 32, said that on the day when Mir Murtaza Bhutto and seven of
his men were killed in police action, the police station had suspended making
entries in the daily entry register (Roznamcha) for the whole night.
The tribunal comprises Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid, judge of the Supreme
Court; and Justices Amanullah Abbasi and Dr Ghous Mohammad, judges of
the High Court of Sindh.
The ASI who reported on duty next morning on Saturday, Sept 21, was told
by sub-inspector Khurram Waris that some pending entries are to be made in
the "Roznamcha" and he did that between 9 and 10 am on the basis of what
had happened on the previous night. He was unaware of the incidents until
he came to the police station on duty.
The entries in the "Roznamcha" which was suspended on the previous night
was filled by him as directed by sub-inspector Khurram Waris on the basis of
what he had recorded of the events and also on the basis of some FIRs
registered and the messages recorded in the log book by the wireless
operator.
The SHO of Darakhshan PS, S.I. Shah Nawaz, had already recovered arms for
which entry had been made.
Q: Was there any such single incident when the "Roznamcha" was suspended
during his 14-year career?
A: No. But I have heard so.
Q: Any reason given why it was suspended?
A: No reason was given for suspension, but it is correct that the making of
entries should not have been suspended.
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