KARACHI: The officers of Kharadar, Nabi Bux and Preedy police stations asked the court on Friday for more time to investigate the riots on September 21 in which six cinemas burned down, and banks and restaurants were robbed and set on fire.
The Anti-Terrorism Court III allowed the three police stations to keep the suspects in their custody till October 4. They will be presented in court on October 5.
The officers told the court that they are trying to obtain CCTV footage so that they can identify and detain more suspects. They said that they will carry out a “thorough and fair investigation”.
The profiles of those who were brought to court were similar to those detained by other police stations - young men, many sobbing and claiming that they were not guilty.
Among those presented in court on Friday was a student who was scheduled to take an exam on Monday and is currently being held by the Kharadar police. An application was moved in court to allow him to take his exam so that his academic year doesn’t go to waste. The prosecution had no objection.
The Nabi Bux police station has eight suspects in custody who they believe attacked the cinemas on MA Jinnah Road and a branch of Sindh Bank, the Preedy police station has 13 suspects in custody and 16 men were arrested by the Kharadar police.
On Thursday, the Anti-Terrorism Court granted the Boat Basin and Civil Lines police remand of 36 suspects till October 4.
Around 24 suspects are in the custody of the Jackson police and will be presented in the Anti-Terrorism Court II on October 9.
The investigating officer handling the case told The Express Tribune that there was “definitely a case against the men” since they had been “detained on the spot, with petrol and sticks in their hands.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2012.
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Make an example out of these men. Because of these illiterate... Businesses shut-down & people lose jobs even lives. They dont know a bit about protesting.. Why did't they burn their own houses... howcome its always others property they have to put on flames.. to ensure protest. I believe it wast jus an act out of sadness & retaliation to Films made. it was deliberately done & planned by them. So make them an example for others to come. Others should knw there might be police knocking their door after their last day's little adventure.. next time.