Cops accused of 'stealing' Rs17.5m from robbers

Fresh allegations suggest dismissed cops kept recovered loot

ISLAMABAD:

A new twist has emerged in the case involving Islamabad police officers dismissed for allegedly facilitating robbers. The officers, who were fired for misconduct, are now accused of stealing Rs17.5 million in cash and jewellery from robbers they had arrested.

On August 26, DIG Islamabad Police Syed Ali Raza dismissed four officers, including SHO Sub-Inspector Asim Ghaffar of the Noon police station, following an inquiry into their involvement in releasing suspects in exchange for a bribe. The Rawalpindi police wanted the suspects for a robbery in Wah Cantt. The internal investigation found the officers guilty of misconduct, leading to SHO Ghaffar's dismissal and an ASI's demotion.

According to the case registered at Wah Cantt Police Station, Rawalpindi, the robbers stole a substantial amount of valuables from a citizen's house, including Rs5.8 million in cash, gold jewellery worth Rs6 million, more than $16,000, watches worth Rs2.6 million, weapons, and CCTV cameras. The robbers also subjected the citizen, Aman Mir, and his butler to physical torture.

The case took an unexpected turn when SHO Ghaffar filed a report against his subordinates, accusing them of stealing the recovered stolen goods. According to the report, the ASI and two constables had recovered the stolen items, including cash, gold jewellery, foreign currency, watches, weapons, and CCTV cameras. Still, instead of depositing them, they allegedly kept the valuables for themselves.

The stolen items remain missing, and there are allegations that the dismissed officers took the loot and sent the bandits to jail on other charges.