Car theft victim accuses cops of extortion

KARACHI:

A citizen has accused cops deputed at Sachal Police Station of demanding Rs10,000 cash in exchange for his stolen car.

In a video viral on social media, Farooq Ahmed, a resident of Rahim Yar Khan, accused the police of demanding money to return his vehicle after he had reported it stolen.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Ahmed said he was at his sister’s house in Saadi Town and on Saturday night his white Toyota Corolla car went missing from outside the house. He reported the theft at Sachal Police Station the next morning after having spoken to an officer at the police helpline Madadgar 15.

However, said Ahmed, to his surprise he found the car parked outside the police station. The second window on the left was broken and he could not open the boot but the rest of the car was fine, he added.

Ahmed said he was told by the duty officer that the SHO has asked Rs30,000 in exchange for the car.

The citizen said he was handed the car after he negotiated the amount to Rs10,000.

But, he alleges, that he found car documents, LCD panel, sound system, spare wheel and other parts missing. He added that he has reported the matter through the Karachi Police chief’s WhatsApp number but no action has been taken as yet.

When contacted, Sachal SHO Sial asked why the citizen took the car back with him if the valuables were missing. The SHO also shrugged off the extortion allegation.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2021.