AVCC official suspended for failing to recover abductee, taking bribe

Complainant's son was abducted, killed and his severed hand was sent to family by kidnappers

KARACHI:

An investigation officer of the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) has been suspended following a complaint by the father of Zainul Abideen, who was kidnapped from Steel Town and brutally murdered, over allegations that the officer had taken bribes from him.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the victim's father, Muhammad Khan, accused IO Rizwan of receiving a total of Rs22,000 from him, including Rs2,000 allegedly taken in the name of food expenses.

He said that while his son had been brutally murdered after being kidnapped, the conduct of the investigation officer had added to the family's distress. According to him, the officer had met him only three times and had shown little interest in the case. As a result, the ransom money and other belongings had not been recovered from the suspects, he alleged.

Muhammad Khan said he lodged a complaint with DIG CIA Muqaddas Haider on Thursday, accusing the investigator of negligence and dereliction of duty. Following the meeting, the DIG suspended IO Rizwan and appointed a new investigation officer. However, the newly-appointed officer had not contacted the family so far, he added.

The grieving father demanded a transparent and impartial investigation. He said the family had paid Rs500,000 in ransom in an attempt to secure his son's release, but he was not recovered. To intimidate the family, the kidnappers had also sent them a severed hand of his son, he alleged.

Muhammad Khan appealed to the Sindh home minister and the provincial police chief to ensure justice for his family.

According to the case details, Zainul Abideen, who had returned from Saudi Arabia, went missing under mysterious circumstances from Steel Town on October 14. Steel Town police registered a kidnapping-for-ransom case on October 15 and transferred the investigation to the AVCC.

His body was recovered by AVCC police on October 16 from Chhatri Ground in Bin Qasim on the identification of the arrested suspects. One of the suspects, Faisal, is a close relative of the victim. Police arrested him along with his accomplice, Ansar.