November 12, 2008	Wednesday	Ziqa'ad 13, 1429

KARACHI, Nov 11: An investigation officer on Tuesday submitted a Class C charge-sheet against five police officials, stating that no evidence was available against them. However, the public prosecutor observed that there was ample evidence against the suspects and recommended that the IO submit a fresh charge-sheet in the light of the available evidence.

Inspector Chaudhry Shahid Mehmood, and sub-inspectors Mohammad Yaseen, Mohammad Younus, Abdul Hameed and Mohammad Mahboob of the Peerabad police station are facing charges of picking up Mushawar Iqbal, a factory owner, on Nov 19, 2007 at Boulton Market and taking him to the Peerabad police station, where they allegedly tortured him and collected a ransom of around Rs7 million for his release.

The victim had move an application under Section 22-A of the CrPC in the court, pleading for the registration of a case. An FIR (No 17/2008) was registered on the court order on Oct 24, 2008 under Sections 365, 506 and 377/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code against the police officials at the Risala police station.

The complainant submitted in the application that the police officials had taken him to the Peerabad police station, where they tortured him and deprived him of Rs50,000 and two cellphones. He added that the suspects had demanded a ransom for his release and he gave them two cheques for Rs7 million.

On Tuesday, the investigation officer submitted the Class C charge-sheet stating that no clue was found about the involvement of the police officials in the case. However, the public prosecutor, Abdul Maharoof, disagreed with the IO and said there had been around 30 witnesses who confirmed in their statements that the complainant had been picked up by the police officials, who had also collected ransom money after torturing him.

He asked the IO to examine all the evidence and then submit a fresh charge-sheet against the suspects.

Tessori bail plea

Meanwhile, a civil judge and judicial magistrate, south, on Tuesday recorded arguments on the bail application of Mohammad Kamran Tessori, a well-known gold trader, in three cases and reserved the order for Wednesday.

The police registered two cases, including one under the Arms Ordinance, at the Preedy police station against the suspect.

The police had arrested Mr Tessori at the Karachi airport on his arrival from Islamabad on Nov 5.