SHC orders police to produce defendant

Staff Report

KARACHI: The Investigations Police was directed on Wednesday by a division bench of the High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Chief Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah to produce Shahid Rind, accused of kidnapping for ransom and double murder, before Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC-II) for the Karachi division.

The bench was hearing a constitutional petition filed by the maternal uncle of the accused, challenging his alleged illegal detention. The detainee was shown arrested in at least three cases after a bench of the SHC ordered his production. He was alleged to be a member of the gang of Mashooq Brohi, a notorious dacoit and kidnapper.

The instant case in which he was booked pertains to the alleged kidnapping of two brothers for ransom. The bodies of the victims were found dumped in the jurisdiction of PS Surjani Town, Karachi on June 19, 2007. Two co-accused Ibrahim and Saeed are already in custody in this case while three other accused - gang leader Mashooq Brohi, Banadur Brohi and Ghouso - are absconding. The detainee recorded his statement before the bench in which he claimed to be innocent and not a member of the gang. While complaining of third-degree torture, he alleged that the police forced him to confess that he belonged to the gang of criminals.

He also stated that a case of possessing arms without a licence was foisted on him. While his statement was being recorded in the chambers of the Chief Justice, DSP Ghulam Subhani and ASI Khalid Saeed misbehaved and were reprimanded. On Wednesday, during the hearing, the bench inquired from Advocate General Sindh Khawaja Naveed Ahmed, representing the Sindh government, as to what action was taken against them for their misbehaviour. The AG Sindh assured the bench that as punishment, they were being transferred.

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