Three extortionists arrested

CID Sindh police claim to have nabbed three alleged extortionists after a brief encounter.

KARACHI:

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the Sindh police claimed to have nabbed three alleged extortionists after a brief encounter on Sunday. The extortionists admitted they were using political parties’ names to garner more money.

Speaking at a press conference, CID (Operations) SSP Fayyaz Khan said that the arrests were made when a CID team carried out a raid at the suspects’ hideout on Jamila Street located in Saddar area within the jurisdiction of Eidgah police station.

The arrested men were identified as Basher alias Ustad, Asad Ali Shah alias Raju and Kashif alias Lucy.

“The CID was directed by higher officials to arrest gangs involved in collecting extortion money on the basis of fabricated affiliations with political parties. These gangs were targeting people from all walks of life, including doctors and businessmen,” SSP Khan explained. “Basher was the ring leader while some women are also part of the gang.”

SSP Khan also claimed that the accused confessed during interrogations that they were extorting money from businessmen and doctors in several areas including Kharadar, Ranchore Lines, Saddar and Burns Road. “We used names of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and other political parties to force people to pay up,” SSP Khan quoted the accused men as telling the police.

The police also claimed to have seized three TT pistols from the accused.

“We are still investigating,” added the SSP.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2011.