City’s top cop orders speedy probes in minor crime cases

Karachi’s police chief Amir Ahmed Shaikh, showing his concern over slow investigations and a low conviction rate in minor crime cases, has issued fresh directives to his subordinates to ensure timely progress.

Official sources said on Wednesday that the additional inspector general had asked his office branch to compile a record of FIRs with progress in investigations and convictions in such cases.

Officials had earlier prepared a comprehensive report and submitted it to Shaikh. The alarming report said the process of investigations was not satisfactory and the conviction rate was also low, especially in cases lodged under sections 406-409 over theft by servant; Section 420, fraud; Section 506-B, threat of dire consequences; Section 511, failed robbery attempt; Section 489-F, cheque bounce; and sections 365-B and 496-F, kidnapping of married women or a woman who entered into a Nikha but was kidnapped before the marriage ceremony.

The police chief, showing concern over the lack of progress in investigations in domestic cases, has now issued fresh directives to deputy inspectors general of East, West and South ranges and also to the DIG Crime Investigation Agency and also to the SSPs of all districts of Karachi and the SSPs of investigations, Special Investigation Unit, Anti Violent Crime Cell and Anti Car Lifting Cell in this regard.

An official handout containing the directives says, “This office has received several complaints against police regarding the registration of criminal cases under sections 406/409/420/506-B/511/489- F/365-B/496-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) so that money matters of purely civil natures are brought within the ambit of criminal law by twisting the facts. Police take immediate cognizance and arrest nominated accused without obtaining sufficient evidence.

“Unfortunately, this is all done with ulterior motives. Registration and investigation of these cases takes away the focus from the heinous and other important crime prevention and detection and it also brings a bad name to the police force.

“It is therefore directed that cases under abovementioned sections of law would be registered after seeking permission of concerned District SSP who shall verify the facts and direct for the registration. SP Investigations will ensure the investigation of the cases purely on merit and arrest of the accused will be made after collecting sufficient evidence.”