August 20, 2007	Monday	Sha’aban 6, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Aug 19: The local police have booked a former constable of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) and his two accomplices for robbing a woman after thrashing her and one of her relatives, an official said on Sunday.

The police were earlier not registering a case in connection with the incident that took place last week, but finally did so after receiving orders from their seniors, the official told this reporter on condition of anonymity.

He said the police had also arrested one of the accused but his identity was not being disclosed as interrogation was still underway.

Mohammad Iqbal had lodged a complaint with the Kohsar police, stating that he and his relative was going towards Jinnah Super Market at around 9pm on August 10 when they were intercepted by three persons - Shahid Anwar (ex-CIA official), Ishtiaq Malik and Ashfaq - near Saudi Pak Tower.

The accused allegedly pulled the complainant out of his car and started abusing him. One of the accused, Ishtiaq, started thrashing him, while the remaining two did the same to his relative.

On seeing a vehicle approaching the scene, the accused snatched a handbag from Mr Iqbal’s relative and escaped. The handbag reportedly contained Rs15,000 in cash, a gold ring and two gold bangles.

Mr Iqbal claimed that he lodged a complaint the same day, but the police used delaying tactics to register the case. The police also delayed the medico legal examination of the victim, as they wanted the wounds to heal up, the complainant alleged.

He said the victim’s medical check-up was carried out at the Federal Government Services Hospital after five days of the incident.

Mr Iqbal said that the Kohsar police station SHO and some other police officials tried to facilitate a compromise between the victim and the accused, and also offered money to the woman.