‘Committee lady’ files complaint against death threats

Sessions Judge East issued notices to SSP Complainant Cell East and others on the petition of Sidra Khalil regarding alleged fraud in the online committees.

Voluntary Committee (VC) or simply committee is a popular mode of interest free saving in markets and neighbourhoods where a fixed number of people pool in same amount of cash for a fixed number of months with each member getting the total amount on designated month.

Sidra Khalil, being accused of embezzling committees she collected online, told the Sessions Judge East that she managed committees at the behest of the citizens for the last 10 years without any complaints.

During the Covid lockdowns and later economic down turn, many members could not pay their share of committees, which in turn disrupted the payment to other members. "All committee members are responsible for paying their shares and get the full amount on their turn. However, some people are asking for unpaid amounts," she said.

"On December 3, armed gangsters attacked my house and threatened to kill me. My life and that of my family are in danger. I agreed to pay the promised amount to the committee members. However, no payment can be made to those who have not paid the committee amount.

She gave an application to the concerned police station against the invasion of her home and threats, but the police station refused to receive the application.

The court requested the police to register a case against the accused. The accused include Sahrish Khan, Samina Shah, Tabinda Hamza, Ghanvi Memon, Rumana Memon, Moazzama, Anila Farooq and others.

The court requested the concerned police station to protect Sidra and her family.

The court issued notice to SSP Complainant Cell East and others on the petition and sought their response on December 14.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2022.