Sabzi Mandi extortion case: Report confirms extortion, suggests remand of accused

Islamabad Police admit that their own officials are deeply involved in extortion activities.

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Police have confirmed that their own officials are deeply involved in extortion activities. In its latest investigation report, a joint investigation team (JIT) which also includes capital cops confirmed that two gangs backed by police officials were extorting traders and vendors in the fruit and vegetable market.

The report, based on over 100 affidavits from vendors and shopkeepers, has been submitted before the Anti Terrorism Court (ATC). The police requested the court for further physical remand of the accused, all of whom are currently on judicial remand or bail, so that they can recover the ‘extorted’ money.

So far, 18 accused including four police officials were arrested on charges of collecting extortion.

Earlier, the Islamabad High Court rejected the JIT report and ordered the inspector general of the Islamabad Police to submit a fresh report to identity the real culprits.

In the new report, the police said they have discovered that extortion had been collected by two gangs, one operation by “the Sadiq brothers and Nasir Khan” and one by “Shinoo”, an Afghan national. It said that traders in the vegetable market pay Rs5 million as extortion every month.

The extortion case is based on a petition filed by an Afghan refugee alleging that influential traders, with the backing of the local police and politicians, collect extortion money from vendors in Sabzi Mandi at gunpoint.

He had alleged that vendors had lodged numerous complaints with the senior superintendent of police and the Sabzi Mandi SHO, but no action had been taken against the extortionists, forcing them to approach the court for justice.

Sources in police said that their bosses have decided to investigate a former Sabzi Mandi SHO --- Inspector Abid Ikram --- for his alleged involvement. The JIT maintained that both gangs would have armed men collect the money on a daily basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2013.