ATC extends remand of DSP, others in kidnapping case

Orders arrest of accused on the run, seeks progress report from IO

KARACHI:

An anti-terrorism court extended on Thursday the physical remand of Saeedabad DSP Rashid Iqbal and others arrested on charges of kidnapping a builder and taking Rs1.5 million in ransom.

Besides, the court ordered the arrest of the accused on the run and sought a progress report from the investigation officer (IO) at the next hearing.

At the hearing on Thursday, the IO requested the court to extend the remand of the arrested accused, including the Saeedabad DSP.

The court extended the remand period till December 26. Anti-Violent Crime Cell officials had produced the arrested accused, including the Saeedabad DSP, before the court at the hearing.

According to the police, six persons are booked in the case, including the Saeedabad DSP, his driver and gunman and other cops They are accused of kidnapping a builder, Shoaib Siddiqui, a mobile van used for abducting the latter was found to be in the use of DSP Iqbal, the police said.

They added that the abducted builder said he was kept detained in the DSP's office and the kidnapper had taken Rs1.5 million in exchange for his release.

Official weapons and mobile phones have been seized from the arrested accused, the police said.