A 34-year-old man, identified as Qazi Waqasuddin, died in the custody of Karachi’s Preedy police on Saturday. He had been involved in a road accident on Friday.
Following the incident, nine police officers were suspended, and both the Karachi police chief and Sindh Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar ordered a transparent investigation.
The incident occurred when two motorbikes collided near the MA Jinnah Road traffic signal. The accident led to an argument between the parties, which soon turned into a physical altercation.
According to the FIR registered at the Preedy police station, Police Constable Muhammad Usama was riding his motorcycle with his friend Muhammad Sahabi when another motorbike, speeding in the wrong direction, crashed into them.
Usama stated that as soon as he got off his bike, the other party started verbally abusing him. When he questioned them, they began assaulting him and his friend, and others joined in, causing them injuries.
The constable also claimed that his bag, which contained his laptop, some cash, and his mobile phone, was stolen.
A Preedy police van arrived at the scene, and after being informed of the incident, the officers arrested three individuals while others managed to escape in the crowd.
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ghulam Rabbani questioned the detainees, who identified themselves as Ehtesham, Qazi Waqasuddin, and Muhammad Ikram. They were then taken to the Preedy police station lock-up.
Police claimed that Waqasuddin’s condition deteriorated on Saturday morning, so he was taken to a hospital, where he died during treatment.
Home Minister Lanjar sought a detailed report from SSP South and ordered an inquiry into how the citizen died in police custody, emphasizing that it is the duty of the police to protect citizens’ lives and property.
The deceased’s family claimed that Waqasuddin, a resident of Nazimabad and a laborer at the Saddar electronics market, was tortured by police overnight, leading to his death. They demanded action against the responsible officers.
Hospital sources confirmed that a post-mortem examination was conducted, but the report was withheld, stating that the cause of death would be determined after further medical analysis.
Following Waqasuddin’s death, a large number of his relatives and electronics market traders gathered outside Preedy police station, protesting and demanding justice. The demonstration caused a traffic jam in and around the area.
Protesters also set fire to a police post near the Preedy Police Station.
South Range police chief Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Asad Raza suspended nine Preedy police officers, including Inspector Pervaiz Ali Solangi (Station House Officer) and Sub-Inspector Muhammad Hanif Siyal (Station Investigation Officer).
Other suspended officers included ASI Shahid Nazeer, ASI Faiz Ahmed, Head Constable Zeeshan Haider, PC Muhammad Usama, PC Asif Mujtaba, PC Rehmanullah, and PC Riaz Ahmed.
Karachi police chief Additional IG Javed Alam Odho ordered strict action against those responsible and appointed Admin DIG Zulfiqar Larak as the inquiry officer. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
Home Minister Lanjar also ordered a transparent investigation and requested a detailed report from DIG Raza.
