KARACHI: The Sahil Police Station has come under intense scrutiny following the controversial release of Asghar Ali Bhangwar, the driver responsible for a fatal accident on Khayaban-e-Ittihad that claimed the life of a 32-year-old food delivery rider.
The Incident
Farhan, a 32-year-old delivery rider hailing from Thatta, was struck by a speeding vehicle driven by Asghar Ali Bhangwar. Farhan sustained fatal head injuries and passed away at the scene. While his grieving family reportedly forgave the driver “for the sake of Allah” and took the body to their ancestral graveyard in Thatta, the legal procedure surrounding the release has raised serious red flags.
Irregularities in Police Conduct
The Sahil Police’s handling of the case has sparked a debate over selective justice. The suspect was reportedly released without any formal written agreement or legal documentation of the pardon. Furthermore, authorities allegedly kept Bhangwar’s detention a secret for nearly 16 hours, only disclosing his custody once the victim’s body had reached Thatta and the suspect was already being set free. Despite the severity of the accident involving speeding and jumping a signal, the police declined to register a case on behalf of the state.
The “Influence” Factor
During interrogation, Asghar Ali Bhangwar claimed to be the nephew of Assistant Commissioner Hazim Bhangwar. However, AC Hazim Bhangwar has explicitly denied any such relationship, distancing himself from the suspect’s claims and the police’s initial statements.
Unanswered Questions
While the family may have pardoned the driver for the death, several legal questions remain. Why was no action taken against the suspect for reckless driving and violating traffic signals? Why did the police wait 16 hours to acknowledge the arrest? On what legal grounds was an underage or young driver released without a formal court-sanctioned settlement? The extraordinary kindness shown by the Sahil Police toward the suspect continues to fuel public outcry regarding the lack of accountability for influential individuals in Karachi.
