Karachi court grants bail to SSP’s son held after altercation with police in DHA

KARACHI: A judicial magistrate on Saturday granted bail to the son of a serving police officer who had been arrested in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority after an argument with police over the use of a police number plate on a private luxury vehicle.

The incident drew attention after a video showing the man, identified as the son of a senior superintendent of police (SSP), arguing with police officials circulated widely on social media. Police sources said he had already been released from custody late on Friday night on personal surety.

According to the case record, the Defence police registered a first information report on Friday on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Shazan Shakeel. The FIR included sections 353, 186, 170 and 171 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating respectively to assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from duty, obstructing a public servant, personating a public servant, and using a token associated with a public servant with fraudulent intent.

On Saturday, the suspect appeared before Judicial Magistrate (South) Aasim Aslam, who heard his bail plea. Advocates Osama Ali and Faisal represented him before the court. Advocate Ali argued that the FIR had been lodged “even though an understanding had been reached between the police and the suspect”.

The court order stated that the suspect was “produced in police custody” and “did not complain of maltreatment at the hands of police”. The investigating officer requested physical remand for “further interrogation and collecting evidence”, but the magistrate observed that the offences listed in the FIR were bailable.

The court then allowed bail against surety bonds of Rs50,000. The order said that if the amount was not furnished, the suspect would be sent to judicial custody until May 15. The magistrate also directed the investigating officer to complete the probe and submit a final report within the time prescribed by law.

Details cited in FIR

In his complaint, Sub-Inspector Shakeel said he was on patrol with other personnel near Qayyumabad in DHA Phase 7 when they noticed a “suspicious” black Toyota Revo fitted with police lights and tinted windows.

He stated that the driver did not disclose his identity and instead told police he should be allowed to leave because “my mother is an SP and this car belongs to her”. The FIR said the driver was informed that using police lights and tinted windows on a private vehicle was an offence.

According to the FIR, the driver then instructed “gunmen accompanying him” to push the complainant. Shakeel further alleged that when he opened the vehicle’s door and tried to arrest the driver, the latter grabbed his collar, abused him and then left the scene.

Police statement and inquiry

Earlier, South Zone police said in an official statement that the vehicle had been taken into custody and its driver had been formally arrested. The statement added that departmental proceedings had been started against the police guards present in the seized vehicle.

It also said the conduct of the policemen posted at the checkpost was being examined. According to the statement, the Clifton superintendent of police was appointed as inquiry officer in the matter.

“No one is above the law,” South Zone police said.

The police also said that relatives of police officers were not permitted to use official vehicles. Citizens were urged not to use fancy or official number plates, hooters or police lights on private vehicles, warning that strict legal action would otherwise be taken.