Irshad Ranjhani killing: UC chairman arrested
February 11, 2019
KARACHI: The union council (UC) chairman of Bhains Colony, Abdul Rahim Shah, was arrested on Monday on the recommendation of a police team investigating the killing of political worker and alleged thief Irshad Ranjhani.
On February 6, Abdul Rahim Shah, the UC chairman of Bhains Colony, had declared Ranjhani a thief and killed him in Shah Latif Town. The UC chairman had also halted attempts to take Ranjhani to a hospital.
Karachi police chief Dr Amir Sheikh had formed an inquiry team to look into the matter. The team led by deputy inspector general (DIG) East Amir Farooqi and comprising SSP Ghulam Azfar Mahesar and SSP Investigation (Malir) Farrukh Malik had recommended the Bhains Colony UC chairman's arrest.
Speaking to the media today, the head of the investigative team said, "The murder was a result of a robbery attempt. As Shah left a bank, an attempt was made to loot him."
The DIG East further said that they are in contact with Ranjhani's family. The sub-inspector who was the first to reach the crime scene has been suspended for negligence, he added.
A day earlier, the investigative team had examined the crime scene and recorded the statement of the Edhi ambulance driver. The investigative team had also reviewed CCTV footage and videos circulating on social media of the incident.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the killing on Saturday and ordered a judicial inquiry. Shah had directed Sindh Chief Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah to write to the Sindh High Court (SHC) registrar requesting a judicial inquiry into Ranjhani’s killing.
The Sindh chief minister had said, “We cannot allow anyone to take the law into their own hands."
Following the Sindh CM’s orders, the provincial home department had written to the SHC registrar to direct Malir district and sessions judge to conduct a judicial inquiry. The letter had stated that the inquiry should be completed within 30 days and “reasons for delay in taking Ranjhani to the hospital and for the police force to arrive at the crime scene should also be probed”.
