Kidnapped man's body recovered from flat

Cousin among suspects; property dispute suspected as motive

KARACHI:

The body of a man kidnapped eight days ago from Federal B Area was recovered from a flat in Chapal Garden on Abul Hasan Isphahani Road, police said on Sunday, adding that the victim's cousin was among the suspects involved in the murder.

According to police, a case regarding the abduction of Rehan Ahmed was registered on April 13 at Jo-harabad police station on the complaint of his son, Ruhan Khan.

Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and found that the victim had left in a car with a suspect, later identified as Syed Faisal Karim, on the evening of April 11.

Police detained Karim on suspicion and during interrogation he allegedly confessed to the crime, stat-ing that he had taken Rehan along as part of a premeditated plan.

He further disclosed that the victim was later handed over to an accomplice, Ziaullah alias Najeeb alias Haider, where three to four other suspects were also present.

Investigators said the victim was allegedly subjected to torture and confined inside the flat. Faisal told police that he was later dropped off near Sohrab Goth Bridge and returned to his residence in New Karachi.

Acting on the suspect's identification, police conducted a raid at a flat in Chapal Garden, where they recovered the body.

The body was shifted to a hospital for medico-legal formalities, while evidence from the scene was collected.

District Central SSP Dr Imran Khan said the victim and the suspects were business partners and a prop-erty dispute appeared to be the motive behind the killing.

He confirmed that three suspects, including the prime accused, have been arrested, while efforts are under way to apprehend two to three more accomplices.

Police said the deceased was involved in the business of selling laboratory equipment.

Initial investigation suggests that the flat from where the body was recovered was allegedly being used by a suspect identified as Mujeebur Rehman, who is currently at large. Further investigation is in progress.