Police told by SHC to complete investigation against NAB officials

SSP given two weeks to file report

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed a senior superintendent of police (SSP) to file his report on action taken against officials of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) nominated in a case regarding kidnapping of a citizen for ransom.

SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, who headed a two-judge bench, asked the police officer to file his report within two weeks.

The judges were hearing a petition filed by Sikandar Ali Abro, who had approached the court seeking action and registration of a case regarding his kidnapping for ransom against NAB officials.

Earlier, the SSP said that on court orders, the Darakhshan police had registered a kidnapping for ransom case against four NAB officers, Sarwech Sheikh, Chaudhry Bilal, Iqbal Channa and Gul Afridi.

The officer said that the closed-circuit television camera footage suggested presence of the accused persons, adding that investigation will be completed within two weeks and a charge-sheet will be filed to the relevant anti-terrorism court. He requested for time to submit a progress report.

Addressing the police officer, Justice Sheikh remarked the present case will suggest whether or not the police investigates influential persons.



The judges allowed the SSP's request, granting him two weeks time to complete investigation and submit a progress report.

Case history
The petitioner informed the court that he was working as a district accounts officer in Hyderabad. He said the NAB officials, including Sheikh and Bilal among others, had summoned him at their residence at midnight in connection with some inquiry reportedly initiated against him.

The petitioner alleged that later these officials kidnapped him and directed his family to pay Rs10 million ransom for his safe recovery. The NAB officials summoned his family members with the ransom money, but later fled.

Abro complained that an application was filed at the concerned police station, but the police officials refused to entertain his plea to register a case against the NAB officials.



Therefore, he pleaded to the court to order the police chief and others take action against the NAB officials involved in his kidnapping for ransom. A direction was also sought for senior police officials to register a criminal case against them.

Earlier, the court had on December 14, 2017, directed the Sindh inspector-general to ensure the statement of the petitioner was recorded by the police and a case according to law was registered against the accused persons, if any cognizable offence was committed.