Prime suspect among two arrested over youth's assault in Karachi's DHA

• Footage shows three young men assaulting victim.
• South DIG says main suspect among two arrested.
• Five suspects nominated in assault case: police.

KARACHI: At least two men, including the prime suspect, were arrested after a video showing a young man being assaulted in Karachi's Defence Phase 8 surfaced online, police said on Saturday.

The footage showed three young men assaulting the victim, who appears to plead, cry, and repeatedly ask for forgiveness.

It also showed the young man being beaten with a stick, while the suspects were seen pulling his hair.

The South DIG said that the main suspect had already been arrested and another suspect involved in the incident had also been taken into custody earlier today.

Police said that the incident took place on August 29, with DSP Darkhshan assigned the responsibility to conduct the inquiry.

The victim, identified as Ali Jafri, said that he had gone to DHA with friends for a meal.

According to Jafri, he was struck on the head with a baseball bat after leaving the restaurant, causing him to lose consciousness.

"After the blow, I became unconscious, and the suspects put me in a car and took me away," he alleged.

He alleged that he was assaulted after being taken away, while one of the suspects stood nearby pointing a pistol at him.

Jafri further alleged that the suspects repeatedly ordered him to apologise and demanded money from him.

He also alleged that the suspects made purchases using money from his account and threatened to harm his family.

A case was later registered at Sahil police station on Jafri's complaint, according to the South DIG.

Police said that five people, including two unidentified suspects, have been nominated in the case. Sections relating to harassment, kidnapping and threats to kill have also been included.

Suspects remanded

Meanwhile, the South Judicial Magistrate granted a three-day physical remand of the suspects after the police produced them.

During the proceedings, the defence counsel claimed that the viral video allegedly showing the incident had been created using artificial intelligence. The lawyer further alleged that the complainant was being pressured into filing the case.

The complainant’s counsel, Talha Baloch, requested the court to order a forensic examination of the video involving the suspects.