SHC moved for action against rampant street crime in Karachi

A citizen filed a petition in the Sindh High Court on Monday, requesting orders for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to take action to control rampant street crime in Karachi.

Muzammil Mumtaz said in his petition that street crime had been increasing in the city, and citizens were being deprived of their valuables.  He submitted that muggers were targeting citizens without any check by the police and other law enforcement agencies.

According to the complainant, several persons have lost their lives or been injured during resistance to mugging bids, but the LEAs have failed to protect the citizens. The petitioner said many incidents had been reported in the East district, especially in the Landhi and Korangi areas, but action taken by the police so far was not satisfactory. He also accused the investigation agencies of performing their duties dishonestly, saying that police investigation officers did not bother to probe street crime.

He requested the court to direct the LEAs to take action against the muggers and protect the citizens. He further asked the court to direct the deputy inspectors general to call the record of street crime that had taken place in their jurisdictions. 

The court directed the petitioner’s counsel to prepare his arguments for the hearing. Muggings are common in Karachi, where dozens of citizens are deprived of cash and valuables, including cellphones and jewellery, at gunpoint. Putting up resistance often results in death.