In a bizarre and unsettling turn of events, the Karachi police have found themselves entangled in a peculiar case involving allegations of black magic being practiced against a senior superintendent of police (SSP) and his family. The repercussions of this case have led to disciplinary actions against an officer, Abdul Qayyum, resulting in the forfeiture of two years’ worth of service.
According to SSP Saqib Ibrahim, the ordeal began when he accused Qayyum, a deputy constable within the force, of engaging in illicit and unethical activities against him and his family through the use of a “taweez ganda,” or a harmful talisman associated with black magic.
The accusations took a chilling turn when it was claimed that Qayyum ventured to the graveyard where the SSP’s deceased relatives, including his mother, were laid to rest. There, it is alleged that Qayyum obtained the names of these departed family members, subsequently passing them on to another deputy constable, Ghulam Murtaza, to procure the ominous talisman.
In light of these serious allegations, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Qayyum. The punishment order outlined that Murtaza confessed to his involvement in the incident under the direction of Qayyum. Despite being issued show cause notices and summoned for oral testimony, Qayyum’s responses were deemed unsatisfactory, leading to his punitive action.
In defense of himself, Qayyum vehemently denied the accusations, adamantly asserting that he neither believed in nor practiced black magic. He portrayed the allegations as baseless and argued that they constituted a character assassination campaign against him.
Nevertheless, the disciplinary measures were imposed, with two years of Qayyum’s service being forfeited as a consequence. Additionally, there was mention of the possibility of transferring Qayyum to his hometown of Ghotki as part of the disciplinary action.
Qayyum’s reaction to the disciplinary action was one of disbelief and protest. He decried the severity of the sentence imposed upon him, characterizing it as unduly harsh. Moreover, he demanded a thorough investigation into Murtaza’s allegations against him, challenging their credibility and urging for a fair assessment of the situation.
The unfolding of this perplexing case sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced within law enforcement agencies, where issues of belief, superstition, and personal vendettas can intertwine with matters of discipline and professional conduct, leading to tumultuous outcomes and contentious debates.
