Karachi police have arrested the main suspect in the alleged assault and wrongful confinement of University of Karachi professor Dr Muhammad Arif Khan Saqi. The arrested man has been identified as Syed Muhammad Konain Shah, who was nominated in the case.
Police officials said they moved quickly to arrest Shah even though he had obtained interim pre-arrest bail. They feared he might try to leave the city before investigators could question him. The arrest followed strong criticism from the chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior over the delay in apprehending the suspect.
Shah had secured interim bail from an additional district and sessions court in Malir against surety bonds of Rs20,000. The court directed him to join the investigation and adjourned further hearing of the bail application until September 21.
The incident took place near Safoora Chowrangi. According to the complaint, a double-cabin vehicle collided with the online taxi in which Dr Saqi and his nephew were travelling. The professor said he asked the occupants of the other vehicle to compensate the taxi driver for the damage. At that point, the hotel owner’s son allegedly got out, fired two shots, struck him with pistol butts and later took both him and his nephew to a hotel where they were allegedly tortured.
Videos of the assault later circulated widely on social media. Police registered a case at Sachal police station on Dr Saqi’s complaint. The charges include attempted murder, assault, causing injuries and wrongful confinement. Three hotel employees have also been detained while efforts continue to arrest other suspects.
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has sought a detailed report from the SSP East and stated that the dignity and safety of teachers will be protected at all costs. The SSP East has assured that legal action will be taken against everyone involved.
Police are now expected to interrogate Konain Shah to determine his exact role in the Arif Saqi assault and the events that followed.
