SUKKUR: One of the suspects named in the FIR of journalist Nasrullah Gadani’s murder escaped from the premises of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Ghotki as soon as the judge cancelled his bail on Monday.

Ghotki Sessions Judge Abdul Qudoos Memon, presiding over the ATC, pronounced his reserved judgement on confirmation of the interim bail granted Khalid Loond and two other suspects. The suspects’ lawyer had pleaded that his clients’ name be excluded from the FIR and that ATA sections also be removed on the grounds mentioned in the earlier hearing with reference to the report of investigating officer.

However, the judge rejected both the pleas and cancelled the interim bail granted to Khalid Loond, Noor Mohammad Loond and Shehbaz Loond.

As soon as the judgement was pronounced, Khalid Loond slipped away from court by dodging the police.

Nasrullah Gadani was associated with a Sindhi newspaper and had been uploading his posts on various social platforms. He was shot at and seriously wounded by unknown suspects while he was travelling to Mirpur Mathelo in Ghotki district by his motorcycle on May 22. He later succumbed to his injuries in a Karachi hospital.

Many suspects have been interrogated and some arrested in the murder case.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2024