A Karachi resident who was assaulted in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) earlier this week has expressed forgiveness for the suspect, even as the court rejected the suspect’s bail plea. The victim, identified as Dheeraj, appeared in court on Tuesday and told the judicial magistrate that he did not wish to pursue the case further.
Victim Dheeraj explains his ordeal:
On Monday, Karachi police arrested Salman Farooqi, the main suspect, along with two of his employees over charges of assaulting Dheeraj. Farooqi was apprehended in DHA, and his vehicle was impounded. The incident occurred on Khayaban-i-Ittehad Road, following a minor accident involving a motorcyclist, Dheeraj, and a woman.
Video of main accused Salman Faroouqi and his Owais Hashmi during court appearance:
During a hearing on Tuesday, the judicial magistrate remanded Farooqi and his guard, Owais Hashmi, into police custody for two days. On Wednesday, Dheeraj identified Farooqi in court, explaining that he did not intend to press charges. “It was my fault; my bike hit his car,” Dheeraj stated, adding that he forgave the suspect. He emphasized that he would not object to the court’s decision.
The public prosecutor, Irfana Qadri, informed the court that a case had been filed against Farooqi for threatening and humiliating a woman, identified as Dheeraj’s sister, Kalpana. Qadri explained that these charges were non-bailable. The court then reserved its verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.
In a separate ruling, Additional District and Sessions Judge Abdul Zahoor Chandio denied the bail application filed by Farooqi and Hashmi. The case was registered at Gizri police station based on a complaint from an eyewitness.
Though Dheeraj submitted a no-objection certificate (NOC), the court noted that the affidavit appeared to be submitted under pressure or coercion and, as a result, did not accept the NOC.
