Charges pile up against Mirza

Police still figuring out who posted videos to social media

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad police have included sections of extortion, robbery and others in the couple assault and harassment case involving Usman Mirza that could lead to the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Afzal Ahmad Kausar held a press conference with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Investigation Ataur Rehman and SSP Operations Dr Syed Mustafa Tanweer at his office in Police Lines Headquarters on Monday.

The police official said that more sections of the Pakistan Penal Code have been added to the case, which include Sections 375-A, 375-D, 384, 342, 114, 395, 496-A and 377-B.

He maintained that the new sections are being included in the first information report (FIR) in light of new developments in the case.

He stated that six suspects have been arrested in the case so far, adding that the statements of the couple have also been recorded.

DIG said that mobile phones seized from Mirza are being sent for a forensic audit and they are trying to bring more facts associated with the case to the surface.

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He added that another FIR is also registered against Mirza in the Sihala police station and urged other victims to come forward.

DIG told that according to the couple, Mirza also took extortion money from them. The police are still figuring out who uploaded the videos on the internet and taking help from the Federal Investigation Agency, he maintained.

Kausar said that Mirza’s brother is also involved in the case and the teams are active to arrest him.

The DIG stated that it is not yet possible to inform about the total number of offenders in the incident.

Responding to a question, he said that action would be taken in light of any evidence against the elements who support the detained suspects.

He added that a special police team has been formed for investigation and prosecution of the case on special orders of the Inspector General of Police Qazi Jamilur Rehman.

The DIG further informed that all resources are being utilised by the police so that the offenders do not avert punishment in any case.

In light of the provisions included in this case, there can be sentences ranging from death to life imprisonment, he maintained.

Sixth suspect arrested

The Islamabad police have booked a sixth suspect in the couple assault case after an investigation from the arrested suspects on Monday.

The offender, Muhib Bangash, was held by Golra police and produced before Judicial Magistrate Waqar Gondal.

The court sent the suspect to jail for an identification parade and directed the investigation officer (IO) to complete the process by July 26.

The court inquired from the IO if the offender was arrested on being pointed out by the co-suspects to which the police officer gave an affirmative answer.

Bangash told the court that he had surrendered before the police.

Meanwhile, Qayyum Butt was also produced before the court on completion of his physical remand.

His lawyer informed the court that Butt had a disability on which the court directed that his medical examination be carried out.

Furthermore, the police sought an extension in the suspect’s physical remand. The IO contended that they need to make more recoveries from the suspect.

Butt's lawyer said his client was Usman Mirza’s employee while the suspect said he ran a car dealing business.

The lawyer added that Butt did not know Mirza beyond these business dealings. The court asked the IO if they had framed any questions for the suspect to which he replied Butt was in the video frame.

The IO replied the police need to recover his mobile and videos from him. At this, Butt told the court the police had already seized everything from him.

After the conclusion of arguments, the court sent Butt to jail till July 26 for an identification parade. The other four suspects in the case, including Mirza, are to be presented in court today.