Bank robbery: Rawalpindi top cop removed from post temporarily

Committee formed to probe alleged mishandling of robbery case

RAWALPINDI: The Inspector General of the Punjab police on Sunday temporarily removed Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Israr Ahmed Abbasi for reportedly mishandling a bank robbery case in the cantonment, where Rs20m were taken. The development began early in the day when Abbasi informed his subordinates about his removal notification.

Notwithstanding, late in the evening Abbasi issued a statement where he had been asked to continue performing his duties in the capacity of the CPO,  however,  the transfer orders had not been cancelled yet.

It was revealed after extensive discussion with various police officials that the removal was primed on his alleged mishandling of robbery at Bank Al-Falah branch at Churr Chowk, on August 24.

A two-member committee has been formed by Punjab government to probe the matter, based on the information police officials gave.

The provincial government took notice of the crime, subsequently; the CPO gave directives to the Westridge police to register a criminal case against the security agency, which provided the faulty alarm system along with a ban on staff for not ensuring security measures.

A senior police officer, desiring anonymity, told The Express Tribune that registration of a criminal case against Asad Abbas, the bank manager, Imran, Ejaz Ali, and Ashfaq Afridi, and other responsible officials of the private security company --- was possibly the reason for action against Abbasi.

The police official noted the security company shared their grievances with Punjab government against the CPO.

Another senior police official said that local PML-Nawaz leaders had grown discontent with the CPO for not taking action against New Town Police.

PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi along with 400 party workers allegedly attacked a police station to get two motorcyclists arrested for doing a wheelie, which in turn led to the arrest of party workers. The arrests of PML-N workers, it is believed fuelled discontent among party leaders.

The CPO has said that he has been instructed to report to the central police office, and has professed his innocence to the chief minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2016.