Could Danish Iqbal be arrested in the Natasha case?

The legal situation surrounding Danish Iqbal, the husband of the primary suspect in the Karsaz traffic accident case, has become more complex following a recent decision by the Sindh High Court (SHC). On Thursday, the SHC granted Iqbal a seven-day protective pre-arrest bail, amid ongoing investigations into the fatal accident involving his wife, Natasha Danish.

According to legal experts, the Toyota Land Cruiser driven by Natasha Danish in the accident is registered under Danish Iqbal’s name. This association has raised concerns that Iqbal could potentially face arrest in connection with the case.

The court has ordered Iqbal to provide a solvent surety of Rs50,000 and to surrender himself to the trial court by September 4. The decision follows allegations that the vehicle involved in the tragic accident, which resulted in the deaths of 60-year-old Imran Arif and his 22-year-old daughter Amna, as well as injuries to three others, is linked to Iqbal.

Natasha Danish, arrested on August 19, faces serious charges including reckless driving under the influence of methamphetamine, which allegedly led to the fatal collision. Initially charged with bailable offences, the case has since escalated with the addition of non-bailable Section 322 (punishment for qatl-bis-sabab) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Danish Iqbal’s counsel argued before the SHC that the police’s attempts to arrest Iqbal lacked substantial evidence linking him to the crime. The defense contended that Iqbal, who is the CEO of Gul Ahmed Energy Limited, had already provided documentation proving that the vehicle involved was registered under the company’s name. They also claimed that repeated notices from the investigating officer (IO) were unjustified and motivated by ulterior motives.

The SHC, led by Justice Muhammad Saleem Jesser, issued the protective bail to allow Iqbal to cooperate with the investigation without the immediate threat of arrest. The court emphasized that this order would remain in effect until September 4 or until Iqbal surrenders before the appropriate court.

As the investigation continues, the prosecution and defense await further developments in this high-profile case, which has garnered significant public and media attention.