ISLAMABAD: A rider of an online ride-sharing app has requested the deputy inspector general of police (DIG) to take action against the staff of Banigala police station who he accused of harassment, wrongful confinement and seeking gratification, police said.

Naveed Ahmed, a resident of Khana Dak, lodged a complaint in which he stated that he earned his livelihood through the online riding service. On June 18, he had come to Park View Society and had parked his motorcycle in the parking lot with two locks.

When he returned, he found his motorcycle missing, following which he called the police helpline and informed the official about the incident. He also lodged a complaint with the Banigala police station about the motorcycle theft and a case was registered.

On June 19, he received a call in which the caller informed him that the police had arrested the thieves and had recovered his motorcycle. He was further asked to come to Banigala police station and demanded a ‘favour’.

After reaching the police station he got a copy of the FIR, and was asked to meet an ASI. After two days he was called to the police station where he met the ASI, who once again asked him about the ‘favour’ he had been informed about.

Another official at the police station asked him to go and bring tea from them. In response, he told the police that he did not have enough money as he earned his livelihood from the motorcycle which was at the police station.

Later the ASI asked him to sign a paper, but when he inquired about its content, the police official got annoyed. The ASI along with another police official started harassing him for asking the question.

In response, he told the police that he would sign the paper after consulting his brother, but the two officials misbehaved with him and insisted that he could only leave the police station once he signed the paper.

In the complaint, he further said that he was a poor labourer and was ill-treated like a criminal by the staff of Banigala police station and requested the DIG to inquire about the matter.

When contacted, DIG Syed Ali Raza said he had ordered an inquiry into the matter in order to establish the facts and fix responsibility.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2024