Osama Satti’s Murder: Faults in Police Narrative Deepens Investigation
The case of 21 years old Osama Satti’s killing is under investigation. An innocent and unarmed young man murdered earlier this month. The police account seemed to have flaws in it so a judicial inquiry was launched. The inquiry verified the existence of significant flaws in the narrative presented by the police.
Therefore, to ensure an unbiased investigation, police officials; Including three Superintendents of Police (SPs), a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and two Station House officers (SHOs) were removed from this case.
The victim’s father Nadeem Younus Satti met Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Prime Minister House where the PM offered condolences, condemned the murder, and shared the findings of the inquiry. Mr. Satti does not want reparations for his huge loss. However, justice must prevail. The report has given him hope for that.
Background of the Case
Osama Satti was shot to death with 22 bullets on 2nd January by five Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) personnel. Chief Commissioner Ameer Ali Ahmed ordered for an inquiry the same day as the incident and Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice and directed Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to submit a report of the case. The government officials also visited the victim’s house in G-13, as per PM’s directions.
According to the report, ATS personnel were travelling on a Toyota Hilux 2800CC and the victim (Osama Satti) was driving a 660 CC car. It is still very confusing and hard to digest, why the ATS had to chase Osama for a long period of time.
Police Reform Needed
The nature of the killing (repeated gunshots at the target) and the behaviour of the police right afterwards (blocking the scene from public view and letting him lie on the road until dead rather than rushing him to the hospital) are horrifying. The Police Control gave the wrong address to the rescue ambulance. Also, later withdrew the request for an ambulance, hints that the decay is deep in the police system.
“The way Osama Satti was killed, the intensity of the force used, and the manner of firing established that the intention was not to neutralize, but to kill him. The post-incident handling of the matter showed that the officers at the crime scene tried to destroy evidence. This means that they agreed with the actions of the accused policemen. Therefore, they supported and abetted the crime,” the report said.
Recommendations
Police should improve internal monitoring system. Police should get training and undergo psychological counselling sessions. The use of black tinted glass and permits should be clear. There were recommendations about allocations and postings of police officials as well.
“However we will implement all recommendations of the report. We cannot pick and choose in such an important and sensitive issue,” said the DIG Operations.
