KARACHI: An influential woman assaulted her neighbours with the help of police in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA), sparking controversy after CCTV footage of the incident surfaced on social media.
The incident took place on August 21 at an apartment in Khayaban-e-Bukhari, Phase VI, DHA, where a woman assaulted a female neighbour and her brother with a dumbbell during a dispute. Then police arrested the victims and registered a theft case against them.
The CCTV footage shows the woman repeatedly attacking the female resident with a dumbbell. Another person in plain clothes can also be seen damaging a CCTV camera during the incident.
According to police sources and area residents, the woman, identified as Maryam Ali Raza, is a relative of SSP Korangi Fida Hussain Janwari. Residents have alleged that she used her relationship with the police officer to exert influence.
After the siblings were assaulted, a theft case was registered against them at the Darakshan police station. The residents claimed that the woman had also previously used police influence against security guards and other residents.
The allegations have prompted a formal police inquiry.
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Digi South Asad Raza constituted an investigation team headed by the SSP Investigation South to probe the incident. Police said statements would be recorded from the people seen in the CCTV footage as well as police personnel who were present at the scene.
Investigators are also examining the CCTV footage and other evidence related to the incident.
According to police, the footage reviewed so far indicates that the incident was not a case of snatching or theft. Police said the sections relating to snatching and theft have been removed from the case registered at Darakshan police station.
Police further said that the challan in the case would not be submitted until the inquiry is completed.
Digi South Asad Raza said the inquiry would be conducted strictly on merit and that all aspects of the incident would be examined, including the reasons behind the registration of the case by Maryam Ali Raza.
Police officials said that if any bias or irregularity is found in the registration of the case, action will be taken against the officials and other individuals found responsible.
Meanwhile, officials said the plainclothes man seen damaging the CCTV camera in the footage is allegedly a Korangi police officer. The footage reportedly shows him using a service weapon to damage the camera.
This has raised questions over why a Korangi police official was present at the apartment, which falls within the jurisdiction of Darakshan police station, and what role he played in the incident.
The investigation team, headed by SSP Investigation South, is also expected to question other police personnel seen in the footage.
Police said all available CCTV recordings and other evidence are being reviewed as part of the ongoing inquiry.
