Harassment scandal hits Capital police

Three cops sacked for abusing, detaining and blackmailing Islamabad couple

ISLAMABAD:

At least three personnel of the capital police were dismissed from service for harassment, blackmailing, and illegal detention of a married couple within the limits of the Bhara Kahu police station.

According to a spokesperson for the capital police, the incident occurred when the police stopped the couple, and after failing to produce a marriage certificate, they were subjected to harassment and inappropriate behaviour.

The officers, identified as Constable Asfand Ayaz, Constable Nayab, and Samiullah, have also had a case registered against them following an inquiry by senior police officials.

Tthe officers stopped the couple, who were travelling by car on Shahdara Road, and demanded their marriage certificate. When the couple could not provide the certificate on the spot, the officers asked for a bribe.

After the refusal, the police separated the woman from her husband, placing her in a police vehicle while taking her husband aside.

One of the officers allegedly began harassing the woman inappropriately while she was in the vehicle and took her mobile phone number.

The woman revealed that one of the constables, Naimatullah Baloch, continued to contact her, insisting on meeting her and threatening her with dire consequences if she did not comply with his demands.

The affected couple lodged a written complaint with DIG Operations, Syed Ali Raza, prompting an inquiry that confirmed the misconduct of the officers.

As a result, all three officers were dismissed from their positions, and a case was registered against them at Bhara Kahu police station.

In a separate case, Asim Zaidi, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Sangjani police station, was arrested and a case was filed against him for illegally detaining two citizens for nearly 19 days without charges.

The individuals, Muhammad Saeed and Shahbaz, residents of Hattian Bala in Azad Kashmir, were detained at the police station without any formal charges filed against them.

Their families eventually approached the court, which led to the exposure of the illegal detention.

Following the court intervention, SHO Zaidi registered a robbery case against the detainees on the same day the families filed a writ petition.

An inquiry revealed that the case was registered after an unexplained delay of 19 days, and the investigation was deemed improper.

It was also found that the detainees were held unlawfully and that the SHO's conduct violated professional standards.

The case against SHO Asim Zaidi (case number 723/24) was registered under section 342 of the Pakistan Penal Code and section 155C of the Police Order 2002.

The complaint was filed by DSP Ansar Ahmed Gorra, SDPO Tarnol Circle, who discovered the illegal detention during a routine inspection on September 20. SHO Zaidi was subsequently arrested for his unprofessional conduct and abuse of power.

Both incidents have raised concerns about police conduct in Islamabad, prompting calls for greater accountability and transparency within the police force.

Authorities have assured the public that further inquiries will be conducted to ensure justice and prevent such incidents in the future.