Casualty or culprit? Man arrested on charges of beating up traffic cop

Political parties ask police to withdraw case, insist he is 'mentally challenged'

KARACHI: A man who was arrested on Monday for beating up a traffic constable was released later after political parties intervened, claiming that the man was mentally challenged.

Shafiq and traffic constable Amir got into a fight after the policemen reprimanded him for parking in a no-parking zone near the PIDC office. Shafiq pointed out another car parked nearby but was told that it was lifted from somewhere.

The argument worsened until the two men started punching each other. The video that shortly became viral on social media showed four traffic policemen beating up Shafiq with a helmet and dragging him on the road.

The police took Shafiq to the Civil Lines police station where a case was registered against him for obstructing the state's affairs, torturing police officials and creating chaos.

Meanwhile, leaders from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Jamaat-e-Islami and other political parties also reached the station and demanded the police withdraw the FIR. Shafiq was released later on personal surety.

Sindh IG Ghulam Haider Jamali asked traffic DIG Amir Shaikh to conduct an inquiry. An inquiry officer said that Shafiq instigated the traffic policemen. "Shafiq resisted and began shouting abuses and beating up the cop," said traffic ADIG Tahir Noorani, who is conducting the inquiry.

"No public vehicle is allowed there due to security reasons," he explained. The officer added that the police were also trying to obtain any footage recorded by CCTV cameras, which captured the scuffle and strict action will be taken against the cops if they are found guilty.

Shafiq's family also reached the police station and berated the treatment of their relative, terming him mentally unfit.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2016.