Man accuses cops of being in cahoots with car thieves

SSP Operations initiates inquiry on the matter, promises strict action if officials are involved

RAWALPINDI: A man has complained to top police officials in the city, accusing officers of the department of having links with carjackers.

After receiving the complaint, SSP Operations Irfan Tariq has directed an inquiry into the matter.

Fayyaz Khan, a native of Mardan but currently living in Chaklala, had complained that on November 25, when he had gone to Sardar Market in Kallar Syedan for some business, his Toyota Corolla had been stolen.

He subsequently reported the matter on the police helpline (Rescue 15) and to the Rawat police station.

“After an hour of my complaint, ASI Ahmad Nawaz in a police van reached the spot,” Khan wrote in his complaint.

The officer, Khan said, called another officer, Akbar Shah, to the spot and started investigations.

After 90 minutes of investigating ASI Nawaz told him that his car had been stolen before adding that the car would be found but it would take some time.

Khan, along with the police officials then left for the police station.

On the way, the police party stopped at three places, apparently trying to kill time. Khan alleged that this was to give the car thieves more time.

At the station, Khan claimed that the officials registered his complaint in the daily diary but did not register a formal FIR. The FIR was finally registered on December 12.

The next day, Khan went to the station hoping to hear some news about his stolen car.

“At the precinct, Moharar Kabir Shah asked me to call ASI Ahmed Nawaz,” Khan said adding that “He [the ASI] gave him the number of Muhammad Sajid who when contacted said that he knew the people who could get the stolen car back,” Khan said.

On November 27, Khan said Sajid called him and asked him to come to a spot in Rawat. At the spot, he met Sajid who told him that the stolen car had been traced however, its steering locks and one of the front glasses were broken.

“Sajid further said that the carjackers were demanding Rs800,000 to return the car,” Khan said.

Enraged, Khan said he called ASI Nawaz to complain. However, the cop allegedly told him that there was nothing he could do and that he had to deal with Sajid on his own.

With his options narrowing, Khan called Moharar Shah. Shah too allegedly told Khan to pay Sajid since he had paid Rs900,000 to retrieve his own stolen car.

He asked SSP Operations Irfan Tariq to take legal action the policemen for having alleged links with car jackers. The policemen however had negated the allegations.

When contacted, SSP Irfan Tariq said that he had directed SP Sadar Circle Iftikharul Haq to inquire into the matter and that if officials were found to be involved in the crime, strict disciplinary action would be taken against them.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2016.