KARACHI: Three policemen have been suspended for indulging in illegal practices. Liaquatabad SHO Rao Shabbir, Pak Colony police constable Rana Saleem and Surjani police constable Farzand Ali were alleged to have been involved in extorting money from businessmen and others.

West Zone DIG Amir Farooqi said on Friday that the policemen will remain suspended until inquiry into their conduct was completed.

Sharing details of the case, the DIG said the Supermarket police had registered an FIR (114/2018) under Sections 385, 386 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code and 7-ATA on the complaint of Tabish Ejaz.

Suspects demanded Rs25,000 monthly bribe from businessman

The complainant stated that he was running a business of rental cars when four suspects started frequenting his workplace and demanded Rs25,000 as bribe on monthly basis.

He added that he paid them bribe twice.

On May 21, Rana Saleem sent a WhatsApp message to him and demanded extortion. When the complainant was paying him extortion near the Apwa Girls School at Liaquatabad, a police party reached there and arrested the suspect.

During initial interrogation, Rana Saleem alleged that a DSP was supporting such activities.

DIG Farooqi said the role of the DSP was tantamount to “gross misconduct”, therefore, he had requested Additional IG Mushtaq Mahar to remove him from the post.

Similarly, Mr Farooqi revealed that one inspector posted at Kharadar was also allegedly involved in the racket.

The senior officer alleged that Rana Saleem had confessed to his crime.

“Rana Saleem told the police that the SHOs of Kharadar and Liaquatabad besides an inspector were supporting him,” DIG Farooqui claimed.

The DIG further said that the arrested persons were also using girls to carry out crimes.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2018