Sindh SSP removed after cops 'robbed citizen'

KARACHI: Following the recent emergence of video footage of police officials allegedly robbing a shopkeeper, Sindh Police Chief Mushtaq Mahar removed Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) SSP Ghulam Sarwar Abro from his post on Thursday.

Mahar ordered Abro to report to the Central Police Office immediately.

Sarwar claimed that he was unaware of the actions carried out by his subordinates and had ordered their dismissal when he found out about their involvement in the robbery.

Five CTD police officials, who had allegedly robbed and beaten a shopkeeper in SITE, had been identified and dismissed last weekend. Following this, a case was registered and an investigation was launched against them.

At the time, Sarwar had stated that the officials had been issued court notices, but chose to flee instead of defending themselves in court. This, in his opinion, was evidence that they were guilty of the crime. They were subsequently dismissed.

The accused officials include Constables Arif Hussain Bhatti, Khush Nayab, Danish Habib, Usama Shahid and Khalilur Rehman. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2020.