The Karachi police on Tuesday suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) of Orangi Town following a shocking mob lynching in which a suspected robber was burned alive by enraged residents. Officials said SHO Yusuf Mehr was removed for negligence after failing to reach the crime scene in time. He has been directed to report to the West Zone headquarters while the inquiry continues.
Suspected Robber Killed After Factory Worker Shot Dead
The violent incident took place on Monday morning in Orangi Town’s Sector 7-F. According to the FIR, two armed men attempted to rob Abdul Hannan, a factory worker and father of one. During the robbery, the suspects allegedly opened fire, killing him on the spot.
As the suspects tried to flee, residents managed to capture one of them, identified as Sajid. The mob tied him to an electric pole, beat him severely and later set him on fire. Sajid succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to the hospital. The second suspect, however, escaped.
Locals said such robberies have become a daily occurrence in Baloch Goth and surrounding areas. Many residents stated they were living in fear due to frequent street crimes, with some saying “dozens of incidents” occur every day.
Third Case Registered; Investigation Expands
Police have now registered a third case related to the incident, this time filed by a police officer against 30 to 35 unidentified individuals. The FIR includes sections 302 (murder), 393 (attempted robbery) and 397 (robbery with attempt to cause death or injury) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Authorities also confirmed that separate cases are underway for the killing of Abdul Hannan and the lynching of the suspected robber. Police said efforts are ongoing to gather CCTV footage, verify witness accounts and identify those involved in the mob attack.
A local councillor urged authorities to strengthen patrolling in the area, noting that 82 people have been killed in Karachi this year during robberies or acts of resistance. Police stated that further action will be taken once investigations progress.
