The criminal connection: ‘Baba’ black sheep in hot water

Bagarji SHO suspended after leaked tape reveals his connection with a wanted criminal

SUKKUR: A leaked tape of a telephonic conversation between the Bagarji SHO and a wanted criminal has not only shocked senior police officials but has also put a question mark on the future of the SHO in question. The officer has been reverted and suspended by the Sukkur SSP and an inquiry has been initiated against him.

The leaked tape contains an over 10-minute conversation between the Bagarji SHO, Ali Bux Shar, and a wanted criminal, Mahi Jatoi. The latter is wanted by the police in several cases of heinous crimes.

The tape, which was aired on a Sindhi news channel on Sunday night, revealed that the SHO was well-connected with criminals who were wanted by the police for heinous crimes. In the dialogue, SHO Ali Bux Shar is heard demanding Rs15,000 and a goat from the criminal. The latter replies that he didn't have the money on hand and asks for time to arrange it.

The SHO then threatens Jatoi of raiding his hideout in the katcha area and bulldozing and torching his house. The criminal pleads for mercy and invites the officer to his village to collect the money. The officer refuses to go to his village, saying that Jatoi had earlier opened fire and injured him.

The criminal agrees to visit the SHO after arranging the money and a goat. "That will be better for you," said the SHO. "I have to change the battery of the police van and you have to arrange money for it."

Jatoi tries to buy time from the SHO, who tells him he will have to arrange money for the battery at any cost or face dire consequences. "Don't get angry my 'baba', I will get you the money," says Jatoi. "If you pressurise me further, I will cross the river and go into hiding." The SHO then suggests Jatoi get the money from the Hindu traders of the area. "The Hindu traders won't even give me a kilogramme of potatoes and you talk about getting money from them," protests Jatoi.

The leak

According to sources, the conversation was recorded by Mahi Jatoi, who wanted to take revenge against the SHO for the blackmail. The tape in question was sent to Sukkur SSP Tanveer Hussain Tunio, who after verification, ordered to suspend and revert SHO Shar.

A senior police officer, requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune that SHO Shar was notorious for his links with criminals and had been suspended, reverted and transferred on several occasions in the past.

For his part, the Sukkur SSP, confirming the authenticity of the tape, said that the SHO had been reverted and suspended immediately. "I have zero tolerance for 'black sheep' such as Ali Bux Shar in the police force," he said. When asked about the leakage of the tape to the Sindhi news channel, the SSP said it would be premature to comment on this.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2015.