A Karachi court has approved a seven-day physical remand of three suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Dr Akash Kumar, a young doctor whose killing during a robbery sparked widespread outrage across Pakistan.
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The suspects were presented before South Judicial Magistrate Zahid Ali after police requested a 14-day remand to continue investigations. Prosecutors argued that additional suspects, including a woman, were still at large and that investigators had yet to recover the stolen cash, motorcycles and other evidence linked to the crime. The court granted a seven-day physical remand and also received a request from the investigating officer to conduct an identification parade.
Dr Akash, a house officer at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), was shot dead on Monday after armed robbers intercepted his vehicle near Teen Talwar. According to investigators, the attackers escaped with around Rs2 million that the doctor was carrying after withdrawing cash from a private bank.
Police said they had already recovered a white Suzuki Alto allegedly used by the suspects during their escape, along with mobile phones and three pistols. Authorities added that the arrested men were part of a gang involved in robberies and street crimes across Karachi, while raids are continuing to arrest their remaining accomplices.
The murder prompted protests by doctors at JPMC, who demanded swift justice and stronger security measures for healthcare professionals. The Pakistan Medical Association also condemned the killing, describing it as another sign of Karachi’s deteriorating law and order situation.
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According to the first information report (FIR), Dr Akash and his family had withdrawn cash from a bank before heading to another branch when they were targeted by armed men on motorcycles. During the attack, the robbers fired at the vehicle, fatally wounding Dr Akash before fleeing with the cash. Police say the investigation remains ongoing.