‘Whistleblower’ cop dismissed from job
Police officers take position after a police office building was attacked by gunmen in Karachi, Pakistan February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro
A lady constable who had accused another female police officer of theft and blackmail at the Women’s police station in Rawalpindi has been dismissed from her position.
Following her dismissal, Anita Naseem, the dismissed constable, did not remain silent as she approached Regional Police Officer Syed Khurram Ali to request an inquiry into the matter. RPO Khurram Ali has appointed SSP Regional Investigation Branch Arif Shehbaz as the inquiry officer and has sought a detailed report.
According to sources, a report was lodged at the Women’s police station by the lady constable last week. The report alleged that a woman visiting the police station lost her purse after meeting SHO Iram Khanum at her office only to find it a few minutes later with all the cash in it missing.
The report further stated that the woman was distressed and reported her missing wallet. Upon reviewing CCTV camera footage, it was revealed that SHO Iram Khanum had taken the purse, removed money from it, and then placed the purse under a blue chair. However, SHO Iram Khanum denied any involvement.
The report further alleged that the SHO began pressuring the lady cop after learning that she was caught on camera, threatening to replace her as a constable if she spoke up. The complainant claimed that SHO Iram Khanum had taken Rs26,000 from her on another occasion and had been blackmailing her. It was also mentioned that SHO Iram Khanum held a grudge and wrote a report against her. The complaint highlighted the constant harassment and disrespect faced by the complainant, a widow who repeatedly demanded her money.
The report emphasized that SHO Iram Khanum’s actions not only violated departmental rules and discipline, but she also blackmailed the complainant due to personal financial needs. Following the allegations, CPO Khalid Hamdani initiated an inquiry, and the lady cop was accused of violating departmental rules by making allegations against a senior officer.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 24th, 2023.