Motorcycle police squad caught ‘collecting Eidi’ at checkpoint

KARACHI: Complaints have surfaced against personnel of the Nabi Bakhsh police station, with residents alleging that a motorcycle police squad has been collecting money from citizens at a checkpoint under the cover of routine checking.

According to the reported complaints, videos circulating online show alleged bribery taking place at police checkpoints. In the footage, a police motorcycle squad can be seen setting up a checkpoint behind Capri Cinema and allegedly taking money from members of the public during the day.

Residents allege money taken during checking

Residents of the area have complained that motorcyclists and rickshaw passengers are being stopped during morning and evening hours and are allegedly made to pay bribes. The allegations further state that money is being demanded on the pretext of missing vehicle documents or over the use of gutka and mawa.

The videos also reportedly show officers carrying out checks without wearing bulletproof vests. The personnel were stopping and searching citizens while neglecting their own safety measures. In one of the clips, an officer can also be seen chewing and spitting gutka.

Police say no formal complaint received

Responding to the allegations, DSP Garden Mohsin Raza said no formal complaint had so far been received in the matter.

He said any complaint submitted in this regard would be examined and, if found to be valid, action would be taken according to the law.

The allegations emerged after the videos gained attention online, prompting complaints from local residents about the conduct of the police squad operating in the area behind Capri Cinema.

However, the DSP said the matter would be reviewed if a complaint was filed and verified.

The incident has drawn attention to the conduct of personnel engaged in roadside checking in the area, particularly the allegations that citizens were being stopped repeatedly and asked for money during different times of the day.