(Web Desk Monitoring) — Social media has been abuzz with praise for Dr Chuni Lal, head of the psychiatric department at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), regarding his supposed bold stance on the mental health of Natasha Danish, the accused in the recent Karsaz traffic accident case. However, sources reveal a different narrative behind the scenes.

Initially, Dr. Lal reportedly diagnosed Natasha as mentally ill following the August 19 accident in Karachi, which resulted in multiple fatalities. According to insiders, this diagnosis was allegedly influenced by the Danish family’s affluence, with some sources suggesting that a bribe of Rs.6 million was offered to secure a diagnosis that could potentially shield Natasha from severe legal consequences.

On August 20, Dr. Lal admitted Natasha to JPMC, citing her mental health as a reason to prevent her immediate court appearance. This move was met with controversy, as her family and legal representatives supported the claim that she was unfit for trial due to mental illness.

However, on August 21, the situation took a significant turn following a tweet by Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, daughter of former President Asif Ali Zardari and sister of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. In her tweet, Bakhtawar dismissed the notion of Natasha’s mental illness and criticized the exploitation of mental health issues as a defense in the case.

Responding to the public outcry and pressure from the Sindh government, Dr. Lal swiftly revised his earlier stance. He then declared that Natasha was mentally fit, with no history of mental health issues—a stark contrast to his initial assessment. Later that day, Natasha was presented in the district court, where the judge ordered her to be remanded to jail.

The rapid shift in Dr. Lal’s position has raised concerns about the influence of powerful individuals and families in legal and medical assessments, casting a shadow over the integrity of the process.