Bribe-seeking cop arrested after rickshaw driver burnt to death

KARACHI: The city police on Monday arrested traffic police head constable, Hanif, who allegedly compelled rickshaw driver to commit self-immolation after forcing him for bribe.

On Saturday, rickshaw driver Shahid sprinkled oil on his body and set himself on fire near the city police office in Saddar, as a protest, after he was challaned by traffic policeman. The driver was reportedly challaned after he had refused a bribe.

Sections of suicide and bribe have been included in two cases registered against the traffic policeman.

Arrested traffic policeman will be produced before the court today, said police. Earlier today, the rickshaw driver breathed his last at Dr Ruth Pfau Burns Centre of Civil Hospital.

According to details, the body of Khalid was half burnt in the self-immolation act he had committed.

The family of the rickshaw driver said that Khalid’s death has set an example against the wrong doings of this society with under privileged and “now the police officer responsible for this tragedy should be “taken to the cleaners” so that nobody dares to take bribe.”

The rickshaw driver in his statement, which is being shared on social media, alleged “ASI Mohammed Hanif have been extracting Rs100 from him daily. I gave the policeman Rs50 on Saturday, but he insisted on Rs100 and on refusal the ASI handed me a challan.”

The incident took place as a protest against the alleged extortion by the cop, as the rickshaw driver was recorded saying that he was ‘frustrated’ with daily challan and alleged ‘bribe’ by the traffic police.