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Are policemen incorrigible?

No amount of raise in salary can make them less corrupt

Shakeel Anjum

Islamabad

It was strongly believed that after the generous revision of salary package for the police, corruption if not eliminated, would considerably come down. But time has proved that corruption is as deep-rooted as before without any tangible change for the better. One has to believe in the saying that a corrupt police officer remains corrupt in any situation, anywhere. 

If those at the helm of affairs had thought that they could reduce corruption in the police department by doubling the salaries, even, the ‘Model Police of Capital City’, have proved that they were absolutely mistaken. 

The tradition that anyone can be implicated in any criminal case and then be released by offering illegal gratification to corrupt police officials was once only confined to remote areas. Now, these tyrannies are being committed right in the capital, under the nose of police high-ups. The plight of such people comes to an end only when they agree to pay the heavy amounts of money demanded by the “model police.” The Islamabad Police have turned it into a city, which can take “pride” on quantifying crime and then granting free hand to the criminals. The police have been let loose to arrest anyone and extort money.

One incident, of numerous such incidents, happened with Zahid Mehmood Khan who was traveling in his private car with his daughter and others to Murree. His family wanted to go to the famous picnic resort to spend some good time but they did not know that the cops of the Bhara Kahu Police Station did not favour the idea of families visiting tourist resorts. Had they known that the family trip would have ended up leading them to lose their money and dignity, they would have preferred to remain home. 

As the car headed from Sector F-11/3, they were enjoying music in the car. When they reached near Bhara Kahu bridge, some police officials holding the “naka” signaled them to stop. First, they thought that it was a routine affair of police checking vehicles to ensure security but soon they came to know that the cops were demanding money from them.

In the car, there were the female members of Zahid’s family too. His daughter, Sabira, her cousin Sadia Mehmood and maid Sonia were also accompanying them.

“Give us money or we will throw you in the jail,” the police officials shouted at them. 

The family tried to ask whether they had committed some offence or broken some law, the cops got furious and started hurling abuses at them. The head of the team of 12 officials at the check post, ASI Akram even snatched the “dupattas” of the girls who had been now extremely frightened and begged for mercy. All this fell on deaf ears and the family was brought to the Bhara Kahu Police Station. The victims of police harassment had still not been informed about their “crime.” 

The series of abuses continued at the police station and the officials threatened the family that a criminal case would be made against them if they refused to oblige them. Realizing that the situation could get worse, Zahid called his close friend, Mushtaq Shikri who met the SHO, Abdul Rasheed. The SHO told ASI Akram to ‘negotiate’ with Mushtaq and finally the amount for releasing the family was finalized at Rs250,000. 

Now, the police turned to the mission of grabbing money. Rs20,000 were taken then and there from Zahid’s pockets and then Rs80,000 were drawn from the ATM accounts of Zahid and his daughter. All the family members were specially driven to United Bank Limited, Bhara Kahu, by Constable Muhammad Zubair for this purpose and the amount of Rs100,000 was paid to ASI Akram. The police were still not ready to release the family until the total amount was paid. However, Mushtaq acted as the guarantor that the remaining amount would be paid in 2 days time.

Freed and relieved, the family now tried seeking justice. They had no knowledge why they had been taken to police station without being informed of any charges. They had been going in their private car on a family trip and had done nothing illegal that could give rise to suspicion. This was pure and simple a case of prolonged illegal detention during which they were subjected to verbal and physical abuse. There was no evidence or proof of their involvement in any criminal activity yet they were constantly threatened of being implicated in a criminal case. 

Zahid informed the IGP, Islamabad, of the unjustified treatment meted out to him by the police and the latter ordered the DIG Operations for a formal inquiry. The DIG deputed DSP CID Mian Ehsan to arrest the culprits red-handed while receiving the remaining amount. Meanwhile, Akram kept calling Mushtaq, the guarantor, on his mobile and insisted on urgently paying the money. 

Subsequently on 18 May, Mushtaq arrived at the Bhara Kahu Police Station with the DSP CID Ehsan hovering nearby and paid Rs130,000 to ASI Akram who took the money and immediately disappeared. The stance of the victim’s family had now been legally justified.

Abdul Rasheed Niazi, the accused SHO, when contacted by this correspondent for his comments, claimed that it was a business deal between Raja Fiaz of Bhara Kahu and the complainant, Zahid Mehmood. He could not reply why the police took three young girls to the police station. He admitted that the complainant paid Rs100,000 in the police station after a bargain and he promised to pay rest of amount after two days.

The DSP (CID) recommended that a criminal case be registered against SHO Abdul Rasheed and ASI Akram for falsely implicating innocent people, threatening and abusing them and extorting bribe. The SSP (operations) also recommended this after conducting a probe. 

ASI Akram has been booked under criminal charges while the SHO has now been suspended and left with threats of ‘we will come back’ and confident in their belief that no legal action would follow. 

This event of police committing such excesses is not unique. The increasing incidents of corruption have forced people to suggest that the increase in the salary of the cops needs to be reversed and invested in useful development projects as they believe that the police are incorrigible and no amount of increase in salaries can satiate their lust for illegitimate money earned through extortion and fleecing the innocent people. We are gradually turning into a police state where the law enforcers can exploit the common citizens so easily. 

This alarmingly situation poses a challenge to the SSP and new IGP. They have to take concrete steps to put an end to the ‘thana culture’.

SSP Islamabad Tahir Alam, when contacted by this correspondent for his comments, confirming the report, said that he has taken up the case and initiated inquiry and two officials, ASI Akram and Constable Zubair were found guilty, adding that ASI Akram and constable Zubair have been arrested while SHO was suspended due his negligence.