Cops 'abduct' man for refusing free petrol

RAWALPINDI:

The family of a fuel station's owner on Tuesday filed a complaint with the Airport police against four policemen who allegedly kidnapped him as a punishment for not giving free petrol.

The complaint was lodged after the brother and relatives of the abductee were fed up with the search and visiting the police stations.

In a video statement, complainant Arslan states that he is a resident of Vakeel Colony and his brother Basharat owns a petrol pump in the Sadiqabad area.

Jawad alias Joji, a policeman stationed at the Sadiqabad police station, used to come to the petrol pump every day and fill free petrol in different vehicles besides taking the 'bribe'.

A few days ago, Jawad threatened Basharat with grave consequences when the latter refused free fuel. The suspect told the victim that he was the special man of the Sadiqabad SHO and could implicate him in a case.

According to the complainant, on the night of November 10, Basharat was present at his Vakeel Colony residence when four armed policemen in plain clothes came there, allegedly tortured him and took him away in a car. Arslan mentioned that some eyewitnesses could testify to the incident.

The complainant visited all police stations including the Sadiqabad police station, but failed to find him even after 24 hours' search. He alleged that his brother had been picked up by the police and detained at an undisclosed location.

The complainant feared his brother's life was in danger and demanded his recovery and punitive action against the cops involved.

When The Express Tribune contacted the duty moharrar about the posting of the said officials, who were nominated in the complaint, in the Sadiqabad police station, he said that he would ask someone else. The Sadiqabad SHO initially did not attend to his phone despite being contacted several times to know about the official position and later his phone was found switched off.

Similarly, this scribe contacted the spokesperson of the Rawalpindi Police. After some time, the spokesperson said that a message had been sent to the SHO regarding the incident. However, the Rawalpindi Police could not provide its version.