Arif Saqi Assault Case; Police Arrest Key Suspect Konain Shah

KARACHI: Police have arrested the prime suspect in the alleged assault and wrongful confinement case involving University of Karachi professor Dr Muhammad Arif Khan Saqi and his nephew, police officials said.

The arrested suspect was identified as Syed Muhammad Konain Shah, who was nominated in the case.

Police officials said Shah was taken into custody despite having secured interim pre-arrest bail because authorities feared he could flee the city. His arrest came after the chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior expressed concern over the delay in apprehending him.

Shah had obtained interim pre-arrest bail from an Additional District and Sessions Court in Malir on Thursday.

The court granted him bail against surety bonds of Rs20,000 and directed him to join the investigation. The court also summoned the investigating officer and adjourned further proceedings on the bail application until September 21.

Police are now questioning Shah as part of the investigation to determine his alleged role in the incident.

The case relates to an incident near Safoora Chowrangi, where Dr Saqi was allegedly assaulted following a collision between a double-cabin vehicle and the online taxi in which he was travelling.

The professor and his nephew were also allegedly subjected to wrongful confinement.

Police later established that Dr Saqi’s nephew, Waheedur Rehman, was driving the taxi at the time of the incident.

According to Dr Saqi, the double-cabin vehicle was leaving a parking area when its guards signalled the taxi to stop. The vehicle then reversed and collided with the taxi.

Dr Saqi said he asked the occupants of the double-cabin vehicle to compensate the taxi driver for the damage caused by the collision.

He alleged that the hotel owner’s son then exited the vehicle, fired two shots and assaulted him with pistol butts before resorting to aerial firing.

The professor further alleged that he and his nephew were taken to a hotel, where they were subjected to physical abuse.

Videos of the incident later circulated on social media, showing Dr Saqi being assaulted.

Police registered a case at Sachal police station on Dr Saqi’s complaint against Konain Shah and others.

The FIR includes charges related to attempted murder, assault, causing injuries and wrongful confinement, according to police.

Police also detained three employees of a local hotel in connection with the incident and continued efforts to arrest other suspects allegedly involved in the assault.

Following the incident, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar sought a detailed report from SSP East regarding the alleged assault and wrongful confinement of the university professor.

Lanjar said the dignity, respect and safety of teachers would be protected at all costs and vowed that those responsible would face action in accordance with the law.