On 24th October 2024, two Christian brothers, Imran Denial (30) and Arslan Denial (24), were tragically gunned down by drug lords Ali Butt, Qadir Butt, and their accomplices in the bustling main bazaar of Rachna Town. The violence erupted following a heated confrontation when the brothers courageously refused to allow the sale of drugs in their hair salon. Imran was killed instantly, while Arslan succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. Read more (here)
The assailants’ rampage left a trail of devastation, with multiple rounds fired indiscriminately. Alongside the brothers, an innocent girl passing through the bazaar was struck, and their cousin, Waleed Masih, along with Shahid Masih, sustained injuries.
The family now lives in constant fear, as the perpetrators remain at large, and law enforcement has yet to apprehend any suspects. This inaction has compounded their grief and heightened their sense of vulnerability.
On 4th November, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) visited the grieving family to extend condolences and provide support. Representatives met with Usman Denial (20), the youngest brother of the deceased, and their father, Denial Masih (53), a retired Mayo Hospital Lahore employee. BACA offered both sympathy and practical assistance, pledging to stand with the family in their quest for justice.
To pursue justice for the brutal murders of Imran Denial and Arslan Denial, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) engaged Sardar Sultan Ali Dogar, a highly diligent and competent solicitor of the Lahore High Courts. Unfortunately, by the time BACA assumed the case, the accused—Muhammad Qadir, Ali Butt, and their accomplices—had already secured pre-arrest bails from the court.
During a pivotal hearing at the Lahore High Courts on 27th December, Sardar Sultan Ali Dogar presented a compelling argument, emphasizing the gravity of the case involving the murder of two brothers. He urged the court to cancel the pre-arrest bails, arguing that allowing the accused to remain free would obstruct and delay the course of justice. Persuaded by his argument, the judge revoked the pre-arrest bails and ordered the immediate arrest and investigation of the accused.
To further expedite justice, Sardar Sultan Ali Dogar accompanied Usman Denial (21), the younger brother of Imran and Arslan, to the office of District Police Officer (DPO) Sheikhupura, Mr. Bilal Zafar Sheikh. There, they submitted an application highlighting the disappointing role of Investigation Officer Muhammad Shoukat Ali, whose delays in apprehending the accused were unacceptable.
DPO Bilal Zafar Sheikh promptly took notice of the complaint and issued an explanation letter to the Investigation Officer, demanding a detailed report of his actions within 14 days. The letter warned of severe penalties and strict disciplinary action should the officer be found negligent or complicit in aiding the accused.
Following the intervention of District Police Officer (DPO) Bilal Zafar Sheikh, the investigation officer, Muhammad Shoukat Ali, began prioritizing the case. He conducted multiple raids in search of Muhammad Qadir and Ali Butt and even detained their relatives to pressure the fugitives into surrendering. However, despite these efforts, none of the primary culprits have been apprehended.
Usman Masih, the younger brother of the victims Imran and Arslan, revealed to BACA that he had received repeated calls from the investigation officer, pressuring him to withdraw the application filed against him at the DPO’s office. Refusing to succumb to these tactics, BACA-appointed solicitor Sardar Sultan Ali Dogar firmly informed the investigation officer that the application would not be withdrawn until the culprits were arrested and thoroughly investigated.
In a separate development, Sultan Ali, one of the accomplices of Muhammad Qadir and Ali Butt, sought pre-arrest bail from the Tehsil Court in Ferozewala. During the court hearing on 24th December, the culprit’s solicitor presented a fraudulent affidavit, allegedly signed by Usman Masih, claiming that Sultan Ali was not involved in the murders and that Usman had no objection to his pre-arrest bail.
Sardar Sultan Ali Dogar immediately challenged the authenticity of the document, asserting that Usman had never signed such an affidavit and that the accused was attempting to mislead the court with forged evidence. The court rejected Sultan Ali’s plea for pre-arrest bail and ordered his solicitor to produce Usman Masih in court on 2nd January to clarify the matter.
Usman Masih unequivocally stated to BACA,
“I had not signed any such document, and I shall never sign any. The culprit Sultan Ali has faked it.”
Expressing his determination, Sardar Sultan Ali Dogar remarked,
“The culprits are in hiding to evade arrest, but I am confident that they will be apprehended soon and face trial for the heinous murders of two innocent brothers.”
BACA continues to support the Denial family in their pursuit of justice, ensuring that the legal process is not undermined by intimidation or deceit.
We are deeply grateful to every donor who made it possible to fund an advocate for Usman Masih’s family. Your support strengthens our resolve to seek justice for this grieving family and work toward removing dangerous individuals from the streets. However, the pursuit of justice involves many additional expenses, such as court-related travel, and we aspire to extend our support to other victims facing similar tragedies. If you would like to help us continue this vital work, please consider donating (here). Your generosity truly makes a difference.
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for the British Asian Christian Association, said:
“Powerful forces within the Muslim community are actively working to evade justice, and without a dedicated advocate, this Christian family would have seen the tragic deaths of two brothers ignored by a corrupt justice system. While BACA remains hopeful that our advocate can secure some measure of justice, we know that this will never bring back the lives lost. What is urgently needed is wholesale reform of the judicial system in Pakistan to ensure the safety and protection of minorities. We pray that our small efforts will help raise awareness of the glaring injustices faced by these communities and set a precedent for reform in a nation desperately in need of change.
“We continue to highlight the abhorrent Qisas and Diyat laws, which allow murderers and rapists to evade justice through bribes—often obtained through the threat of violence against vulnerable families. These laws are perpetuated by political pressures and peace-making bodies worldwide. Our hope is that, over time, our efforts will contribute to the abrogation of these feudal Sharia laws, which have no place in a modern, just society.”
