Muhammad Waris, a property dealer in Bonkan area, told police that Chaudhry Asad, a local landlord, had been pressuring him to pay him Rs200,000. He said he had asked for some time as he did not have the money. DESIGN: FAIZAN DAWOOD
A man was beaten up and humiliated on Sunday for not complying with an extortion demand, Muradpur police said.
The man was taken to a hospital, where he was later reported to be out of danger.
Muhammad Waris, a property dealer in Bonkan area, told police that Chaudhry Asad, a local landlord, had been pressuring him to pay him Rs200,000. He said he had asked for some time as he did not have the money.
He alleged that Asad had threatened him with death and had been sending thugs over to his house to intimidate him.
On Sunday, he said, he and his men stopped him when he was on his way home and demanded that he pay them the money. Otherwise, they said they would set his shop on fire. He said when he threatened them with a complaint to the police, they beat him up.
He said they also shaved his head and made lesions on his skin with a straight razor. They then took him to the market centre in the village and made him kneel and hold his ears.
He said they kept kicking him and accused him of theft. They also shot several fires in the air to prevent the neighbours to keep away or abstain from informing the police.
He said somebody informed his wife, Rukhsana Bibi, who rushed to the scene and requested Asad to leave him.
Talking to the police later, Rukhsana Bibi said that she had begged Asad to have mercy on her and her children.
Waris was taken to the tehsil headquarters hospital, where he was later judged to be out of danger.
Rukhsana Bibi alleged that Asad had bribed the police and that was the reason no one had come to her husband’s rescue. She said the police were known for “hosting” Asad’s men at the police station, where they often detained and tortured innocent people.
Muradpur Station House Officer Mian Khurram denied Rukhsana Bibi’s allegations. He said he was not aware that Asad and his men enjoyed support of any policeman in the area.
He said he would investigate the matter and those found guilty would be dealt with with an iron hand. He said a case had been registered against Asad.
He said a police team was looking for the men nominated in the complaint lodged by Waris. He said the police would also protect Waris and his family.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2013.
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Extortion will stop only once the Quranic law against theft is implemented in this 'Islamic Republic'.