Dua Mangi case main accused escapes police custody following 'shopping spree'

The main accused in the Dua Mangi kidnapping case escaped from police custody on Friday by tricking officers into a false 'shopping spree' promise.

Zohaib Qureshi, the primary suspect in the 2019 ransom and kidnapping case, and his accomplices were brought to the city court for a hearing.

Sources maintained that on the way back to prison, the police officials took Qureshi to a mall in Tariq Road for 'shopping' from where he escaped.

The CCTV footage shows Qureshi leaving the mall alone.

Two police officers have been taken into custody in this regard, while a case against the prime accused has been filed in the Ferozabad Police Station.

Read: ATC indicts five in Dua Mangi kidnapping case

On November 30, 2019, Dua Mangi was kidnapped by Zohaib Qureshi and his accomplices in Karachi's Defense Housing Authority (DHA) area and was released after her father paid Rs2.5m to the kidnappers.

Sindh CM takes notice

Taking notice of the prime accused's escape, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered the Sindh inspector general and the provincial interior secretary to take strict action against the police officers involved.

Following the CM’s orders, police officers Naveed and Zafar were arrested.

The minister further ordered the suspension of the Senior Superintendent of Police Court Azam Durrani.

CM Murad Ali Shah was informed that the incident was being investigated, and that an FIR had been registered. He then directed the Sindh police to arrest Zohaib Qureshi immediately and submit a report regarding the incident.

The minister was also informed that the police had formed a team to locate the accused.

Zohaib Qureshi has been sentenced to three years in jail and a fine in the case.