District central police and SIU dispute custody of kidnapping suspects in North Nazimabad

A serious dispute has erupted between District Central Police and the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Crime Investigation Agency

KARACHI: A serious dispute has erupted between District Central Police and the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) over the custody of suspects allegedly involved in a short-term kidnapping case in Karachi’s North Nazimabad area, leaving a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and another police official injured.

According to details, the locations of suspects allegedly involved in the short-term kidnapping of a young man were traced during an investigation. Following the development, separate teams from Taimuria Police Station, operating under District Central, and SIU Saddar reached the identified location at approximately the same time.

Sources said that Taimuria Police took the suspects into custody upon reaching the spot. However, a dispute reportedly developed when the SIU Saddar team allegedly attempted to take custody of the suspects from the district police without proper coordination or an agreed procedure.

The disagreement quickly escalated into heated arguments and a physical altercation between personnel from the two police units. According to sources, tensions persisted intermittently throughout the night as both sides disputed the handling of the suspects and the conduct of their respective teams.

During the confrontation, DSP Shadman Minhaj, who serves in Shadman Circle, sustained a head injury. Sources reported that the injury was severe enough to leave his head split open. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Raheel Qureshi of Taimuria Police was also injured during the incident.

The situation further deteriorated as both police units reportedly accused each other of unlawfully detaining their personnel. Some members of the SIU team were allegedly taken to a police station by District Central Police following the confrontation.

The incident has raised concerns about coordination between different police units, particularly during investigations that require the simultaneous presence of multiple teams. The alleged attempt to transfer custody without coordination has become a central issue in the dispute.

Following the clash, District Central Police initiated formal proceedings at Taimuria Police Station against members of the SIU team. The allegations reportedly include assaulting senior police officers, interfering with official duties and attempting to take suspects into custody by force.

The original short-term kidnapping case has also been included in the official record as part of the proceedings. However, the allegations surrounding the confrontation and the respective positions of the two police units are expected to be examined during the inquiry.

Taking serious notice of the incident, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karachi Azad Khan reportedly expressed strong displeasure over the conduct of the police personnel involved. He described the reported misconduct as a serious breach of departmental discipline and ordered a comprehensive and impartial investigation to establish the facts.

According to the available details, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South has been assigned responsibility for examining the incident from all relevant angles. The officer has been directed to investigate the circumstances that led to the confrontation, determine how the dispute over custody arose and identify those responsible for the alleged misconduct.

The inquiry officer has been instructed to submit a detailed, fact-based report within three days. The findings will form the basis for determining responsibility and deciding the appropriate course of action against the officials involved.

Authorities have indicated that strict measures, including departmental suspension and the registration of criminal cases, may be taken against those found responsible, depending on the inquiry’s findings.

The investigation is expected to clarify the sequence of events, establish the circumstances surrounding the injuries and determine whether established procedures were violated during the operation.

The three-day deadline is intended to ensure a timely review of the incident and accountability for any misconduct established during the inquiry.