Suspicious death of Sindhi poet Dr Akash Ansari raises concerns

HYDERABAD: The death of Sindhi poet Dr Akash Ansari, known also as Allah Bux, sparked a complex investigation following a fire that erupted in his bedroom in Citizen Colony, Hyderabad, Saturday morning.

The 69-year-old poet succumbed to severe burns, raising suspicions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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Latif Akash, Dr Ansari’s foster son, reported that the fire broke out while the poet was asleep. As per reports, upon entering the smoke-filled room, Latif found his father on the floor, having apparently fallen from his bed.

Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, rescue officials arrived shortly after to find the situation dire.

Authorities initiated an investigation, forming a five-member team. The team lead indicated that a short circuit is the likely cause of the fire but noted that Dr Akash Ansari had been taking sleep pills, which may have hindered his ability to escape. This particular detail raised further suspicions on the sequence of events leading up to the fire.

Complicating matters, it has emerged that the Sindhi poet had previously filed a case against Latif in 2024, although they later reportedly reconciled. This bit of information also raised questions, with many considering the possibility of foul play.

If evidence suggests malicious intents, investigators might pursue charges under Section 302 (murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Witness account have added to the mystery surrounding the case. Latif and his driver attempted to enter the locked room after detecting smoke but found it sealed from inside. The key was with the driver, delaying access to Dr Ansari.

Latif described the chaotic scene, nothing that the smoke was billowing from the door, raising questions about whether the fire was accidental or if other factors were involved.

The police have sealed the house for a thorough investigation and a post-mortem examination has been conducted to determine the exact cause of death. Investigators are awaiting the preliminary autopsy report to guide their inquiry.

Family members’ involvement in the initial attempts to extinguish the fire is another factor many are examining. While they managed to  control the flames to some extent, their presence during the incident raises questions about their actions and motivations.

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The driver is reportedly the primary ‘person of interest’, due to his involvement in the case and allegedly possessing most knowledge of the incident.