Daily Times

KARACHI: An anti-kidnapping cell officer was himself booked in a kidnapping for ransom case in a metropolis.

Inspector Akhtar Hussain of the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC), the specialised cell of the Karachi police which deals with the kidnapping for ransom cases, was booked in a FIR No. 24/17 registered at Kalri police station on the complaint of a citizen, namely Muhammad Ikhlaq.

AVCC SHO Hussain was accused of kidnapping and getting ransom from a citizen Ikhlaq. “The SHO Hussain along with his police party kidnapped me and released me after at least 18 hours of detention after extorting Rs 33, 000 as ransom money,” said Ikhlaq while talking to Daily Times.

Ikhlaq who is a resident of a residential building in Kalri area of Lyari and associated with spare parts business said that he had purchased three flats in a residential building in Kalri area while the builder of the flat, namely Shahid had not provided him with the utility services.

“When we forced him to provide the utility services, he asked the AVCC SHO to kidnap me,” said the complainant. Ikhlaq was kidnapped on December 4, last year. Later he had filed a complain to the police high ups and they had initiated an inquiry regarding the issue . “Yes definitely, an inquiry was conducted against the police official and he was first suspended by the Additional IG Karachi after he was found guilty,” said Criminal Investigation Agency chief Dr Jameel Ahmed while talking to Daily Times. “Later a case has been registered against him.” Though a case has been registered, the suspects nominated in the FIR including AVCC SHO and a builder, Shahid have yet to be arrested.

This is not a first such incident to have occurred as over a dozen police officials and personnel were also found guilty and arrested last year for their involvement in the cases including street crimes, kidnappings, extortion and robberies.