SAHIWAL: A routine investigation into a cow theft case by Farid Town police has led to the unearthing of a car lifting gang allegedly operated by ASI Shuman Khadim and CIA Head Constable Rana Amir, along with eight accomplices from various villages in Sahiwal and Tandlianwala, Faisalabad.

The case came to light when Farid Town police registered a case of a cow theft on the complaint of Husnain Ali Ramay, of e 98/6-R. Mr Ramay reported the theft of a cow valued at Rs500,000 from his dairy farm on May 16.

During investigation, traditional village trackers and police investigators identified several suspects linked to the cow theft. This led to the interrogation of seven people, including Asghar from 396/GB, Tandlianwala, and Sultan from Sahiwal.

The investigation revealed that five of these people, along with the two CIA cops, were involved in a car lifting operation, where they tampered with vehicle registration numbers and sold stolen cars.

Asghar was found using a car with the registration number LED-6012, which had been involved in a crime on June 10. The car was supposed to be impounded at Noor Shah police station.

Investigators found that the car’s registration had been tampered with, and it was being used in multiple robberies and dacoities. The police also found that the gang was using duplicate registration numbers on different cars.

Further inquiries led the police to Sultan and Waleed Cheema, who operated car showrooms in Sahiwal and Lahore. It was found that Sultan was closely associated with ASI Shuman and Head Constable Rana Amir, who facilitated the altering of registration numbers on stolen cars reported to the CIA Anti-Car Lifting Cell.

The police booked 10 people, including the two CIA officials, for their involvement in using and tampering with number plates and selling the vehicles through showrooms. However, the two CIA cops have yet to be arrested, and Sultan has reportedly fled the country.

The Farid Town police said another CIA official, Awais, is also under investigation.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2024