Man kidnaps wife's brother for ransom

Suspect killed the victim because he knew him, say police

KARACHI:

A man has been arrested for the kidnapping and subsequent murder of his 12-year-old relative. The accused, identified as Furqan, first buried the teenager's body and then demanded ransom from the grieving family.

The Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) police arrested Furqan along with his accomplice, Farhan, who were both involved in the gruesome crime. The body of the young victim, Muhammad Obaid, alias Ahsan, was recovered by police after a search operation.

Obaid's mother worked as a housemaid in Dubai and had come back on holidays. Furqan found out that his mother-in-law had brought home Rs1.5 million in cash and kidnapped her boy to get the money.

On May 8, Obaid was abducted by gunmen from the jurisdiction of Mominabad police stat. A kidnapping case was registered on the complaint of the victim's father, Muhammad Ishtiaq.

Upon receiving a ransom demand of Rs1.5 million from the kidnappers, the case was transferred to the Anti-Violent Crime Cell, where a specialised team, under the leadership of CIA DIG, took charge. Collaborative efforts between AVCC and CPLC finally resulted in the arrest of Furqan and Farhan in Orangi Town.

The breakthrough came when the arrested suspects led police to the victim's burial site in the Khairabad area of Manghopir. AVCC SSP Zafar Siddiqui Changa praised the swift action taken by his team, highlighting their commitment to justice.

It was revealed that the kidnapping and subsequent murder was driven by the familial relationship between the victim and the prime suspect, Furqan.The perpetrators killed the teen before the FIR was lodged, leaving police with no opportunity to intervene and save the innocent life.

Published in The Express Tribune May 11^th, 2024.