Groom arrested on way to wedding, later released

Absconder in nine-year-old murder case released on interim bail.

LAHORE:

Police arrested an absconder in a nine-year-old murder case as he travelled for his wedding from Sahiwal to Shakargarh here on Wednesday. He was later released as he had obtained interim bail.

North Cantonment Crimes Investigation Agency personnel set up a picket at Thokar Niaz Beg on Multan Road in the morning upon receiving a tip that a black Toyota Corolla decorated with flowers and carrying Muhammad Shafique alias Shiqa would go past there, said Investigation Officer Raza Rehman.

He said that they had stopped the car, confirmed the identity of the groom and then arrested him. He told them he was on interim bail, but had no documentary proof, so they took him into custody. Shafique’s lawyer later brought the court order, robkar, to the police station and had his client released.

Meanwhile the other members of the wedding party staged a protest, blocking Multan Road with burning tyres in front of Chuhng police station and chanting slogans accusing the police officials of misconduct, even though Shafique was being held at a different police station. The protesters blocked the road for about half-an-hour. They dispersed after Chuhng Deputy Superintendent of Police Nasir Mehmood Bajwa assured them that the groom would be released after investigation.

Shafique accused the police officials of wrecking his wedding and humiliating him in front of his in-laws-to-be. He said that they had not believed him when he had told them he had obtained interim bail. He said he was not sure what would happen with his wedding, as there was not enough time to get to Shakargarh. He said most of his friends and family who were in the barat party had gone home after he had been arrested.

Shafique was allegedly involved in a dacoity at a fruit and vegetable shop in Liaqatabad police jurisdiction in August 2003, police officials said. According to the FIR of the case, three dacoits entered the shop and one of them accidentally shot and killed one of the others, at which point they fled. Complainant Muhammad Waseem did not name any suspect in the FIR.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2012.