KARACHI: A dispute at a DHA apartment has turned into a police controversy after CCTV footage appeared to show a woman attacking two neighbors with a dumbbell and a plainclothes man damaging a security camera, prompting authorities to launch an inquiry into the incident and the subsequent theft case against the victims.
The Aug. 21 confrontation took place at an apartment on Khayaban-e-Bukhari in Phase VI, where the female resident and her brother were allegedly assaulted before being arrested and booked at Darakshan police station, raising questions over whether police influence was used in the case.
The CCTV footage shows the woman repeatedly striking the female resident with a dumbbell during the confrontation. A man in plain clothes is also seen damaging a CCTV camera at the apartment.
Police sources and area residents identified the woman as Maryam Ali Raza and alleged that she is a relative of SSP Korangi Fida Hussain Janwari.
Residents claimed she had previously used her alleged police connections in disputes involving security guards and other residents. The allegations are part of the ongoing inquiry and have not been independently established.
Following the confrontation, the two siblings were arrested and a theft case was registered against them at Darakshan police station. The case later came under scrutiny after investigators reviewed the CCTV footage.
Police said the footage examined so far does not support the initial allegations of snatching or theft. The sections relating to snatching and theft have since been removed from the case, while officials said the challan would not be submitted until the inquiry is completed.
Police launch investigation
Deputy Inspector General South Asad Raza formed an investigation team headed by the SSP Investigation South to determine what happened and whether any police officials acted improperly.
Investigators will record statements from people visible in the CCTV footage and police personnel who were present at the apartment. They are also examining the available recordings and other evidence to establish the sequence of events.
Raza said the inquiry would be conducted strictly on merit and would examine all aspects of the incident, including the circumstances surrounding the registration of the case against Maryam Ali Raza.
Police officials said action would be taken against any officer or individual found responsible for bias, misconduct or irregularities in the case.
Plainclothes officer raises questions
The role of the man seen damaging the CCTV camera has also become a key part of the investigation. Police officials said he is allegedly a Korangi police officer and that the footage appears to show him using a service weapon to damage the camera.
His reported presence has raised questions because the apartment falls within the jurisdiction of Darakshan police station, not Korangi police.
Investigators are expected to question the officer and other police personnel seen in the footage to determine why they were at the apartment and whether they had any involvement in the confrontation or the subsequent case against the siblings.
Police said all available CCTV recordings, witness statements and other evidence will be reviewed before the inquiry reaches a final conclusion.
