Karachi DHA Scuffle: Woman Files Fresh FIR Against Neighbours and Police

KARACHI: A resident of Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has sought legal action against her neighbours and police officials over an alleged assault during a scuffle outside her apartment.

The fresh case relates to an incident in DHA Phase 6 on August 20. The Karachi DHA scuffle gained attention after CCTV footage surfaced on social media last week.

The footage appeared to show police officials restraining a woman while another woman attacked her with a dumbbell.

Fresh FIR Registered

The first FIR had been registered against the woman who was assaulted and her brother. However, a subsequent inquiry found that the allegations were not substantiated by its findings.

The inquiry also recommended departmental action against police officials involved in the incident. It further called for the first FIR to be disposed of.

Consequently, another FIR was registered at Darakhshan police station on September 5.

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According to the fresh FIR, the complainant lives in a third-floor apartment in DHA Phase 6.

She stated that she was at home with her brother and mother at around 11:45pm on August 20. A police officer allegedly rang their doorbell and said their neighbour wanted them downstairs.

Woman Alleges Assault

The complainant alleged that her neighbour soon came upstairs while shouting abuses and banging on the apartment door.

She said the woman dragged her by the hair after she opened the door. She also alleged that her phone was snatched and thrown to the ground.

When her mother came outside, the neighbour allegedly grabbed her hair and assaulted her as well.

The complainant further alleged that the neighbour returned with her daughter and several police officials.

According to her account, the daughter was carrying a dumbbell and allegedly struck the complainant and her family members.

The family then went inside their apartment and called the police, the FIR stated.

The complainant also alleged that police officials outside damaged the CCTV camera. She further claimed that Darakhshan police later entered the apartment and took her and her brother’s mobile phones.

Charges Under PPC

The fresh case was registered under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

These include provisions related to rioting, rioting while armed, theft, causing property damage and causing hurt.

The complainant sought action over the alleged assault, removal of mobile phones and damage to the security camera.

However, the allegations remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings.

Police Officer Suspended

Meanwhile, Darakhshan Police Sub-Inspector Imran Khan was suspended with pay on Sunday.

The suspension will remain in effect pending an inquiry into his conduct during the DHA incident.

According to the suspension notice, Khan has been shifted to Police Headquarters Garden in Karachi’s South Zone. He will attend daily roll call and parade there.

A separate show-cause notice accused Khan of failing to collect tangible evidence and CCTV footage.

It also alleged that he did not conduct an impartial investigation based on merit.

The notice described his conduct as showing a lack of professional diligence, negligence and dereliction of duty.

It warned that appropriate disciplinary action could include removal from service.

Inquiry Finds Investigation Lapses

An earlier inquiry report also criticised the investigation into the incident.

It said the investigating officer, identified as SIP Imran, made “no serious efforts” to collect evidence.

The report further stated that he failed to independently assess the case and investigate it on merit.

The inquiry recommended strict departmental proceedings against three District South officials over what it described as a miscarriage of justice.

What the CCTV Footage Shows

The CCTV footage shows a woman running down a staircase while holding a dumbbell.

She appears to charge towards another woman before striking her with the object.

Two people wearing what appear to be police uniforms can also be seen restraining the woman being attacked.

Later, a man approaches and argues with the woman holding the dumbbell.

The woman and a man then enter an apartment. The woman with the dumbbell and another man subsequently appear to bang on the door.

At the end of the footage, a man wearing a shalwar kameez is seen using a weapon to damage the CCTV camera.

The inquiry identified the individuals seen in police uniforms as constables Saqib and Haider Sultan.

It identified the man who damaged the camera as Constable Taimoor Ahmed. Constable Amir Sohail was named as the official who allegedly handed him the weapon.

Inquiry Links Dispute to Parking

According to the inquiry report, the incident began with a parking dispute.

The dispute reportedly involved the mother-in-law of Korangi Senior Superintendent of Police Fida Hussain Janwari and another resident.

The report said the police officials seen in the CCTV footage had been assigned to duty at the Korangi SSP’s private bungalow.

It recommended strict departmental action against the officials.

The inquiry also criticised Darakhshan SHO Rashid Ali and Assistant Sub-Inspector Aftab Mangi.

It said their on-the-spot arrests were not justified because there was insufficient evidence at the time. The report also suggested that their actions showed a tilt towards the more aggressive party.

Inquiry Calls for Further Action

The inquiry recommended departmental proceedings against the officials involved.

It also raised concerns about supervision within the police hierarchy.

The report said the Korangi SSP’s lack of control over subordinates required examination.

It recommended reviewing his conduct under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.

Furthermore, the inquiry recommended registering an FIR against the SSP’s mother-in-law, her daughter and son, as well as the police officials present during the incident.

It said the affected family should be encouraged to pursue legal action at its own discretion.

The fresh FIR and departmental proceedings are now expected to determine responsibility for the alleged assault, property damage and handling of the original investigation.