Court extends physical remand of DSP accused of killing wife and daughter

LAHORE: A local court on Thursday extended the physical remand of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) accused of killing his wife and daughter.

DSP Usman Haider was presented before the Cantt Katchery Judicial Magistrate Ali Akbar after the completion of his initial physical remand.

Counsel for the complainant, Nasir Kamboh, told the court that a pistol was yet to be recovered from the suspect. Investigating Officer Inspector Alam said that further interrogation of the accused was required.

The court subsequently granted a three-day extension in the physical remand of the accused.

Police have yet to register a murder case against DSP Usman Haider over the killing of his wife and daughter. Senior police officers remain undecided on registering a case under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Even after three days, police and the prosecution have failed to reach a conclusion.

On Wednesday, police produced the female complainant before the prosecutor general, but two government prosecutors were also unable to arrive at a decision. Police have, for now, not even received the complainant party’s application for registration of the case.

Meanwhile, the complainant has alleged that police have been making them visit the offices of senior officials for the past three days without informing them of the course of action against Usman Haider.

According to investigation sources, DIG Investigation Zeeshan Raza had assigned the probe to SP Investigation Model Town Dr Ayaz two days ago, after which a special team was formed under the supervision of the SP.

During the investigation, the special team traced the double murder. Sources said DSP Usman Haider killed his wife and daughter inside his own car. At the time of the incident, his wife was seated in the front passenger seat while the daughter was sitting in the back. The incident occurred on the Ring Road.

After the murders, the accused first buried his wife’s body and later hid his daughter’s body in the Mela Ram area of Kahna. Investigators revealed that the murders were committed on September 25.

Following the double murder, the suspect thoroughly cleaned his car in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Investigation sources said the accused said his wife and daughter had been making financial demands, including the purchase of a plot. He told investigators that his available funds had been spent on the marriages of his siblings, which intensified the domestic dispute.

Sources said the accused, enraged by the persistent demands, killed both victims. After the murders, he misled police teams for nearly two months and himself registered a kidnapping case of his wife and daughter to divert suspicion.

The vehicle used at the crime scene has also been recovered, from which blood samples and other crucial evidence were obtained.