Five suspects, including a son of notorious Lyari gang-war commander Baba Ladla, have been taken into custody over the alleged abduction and torture of a teenager in Lyari, Karachi.
The arrests followed the circulation of a video showing the alleged assault on social media and its broadcast by Express News.
The mobile phone footage allegedly shows the teenager stripped of his clothes, tied up with ropes and repeatedly beaten with a leather belt and a stick. His neck, arms and legs appear to be bound as the attackers continue the assault while recording the incident.
The alleged incident took place on October 11 in Phool Patti Lane, Lyari. The video has raised concerns about possible gang-related intimidation in the area. However, police officials said the incident resulted from a dispute among young men and was not connected to a clash between rival gang-war groups.
According to police, a case was registered at Baghdadi police station on October 14 following a complaint by the victim’s maternal uncle, Kabir Ahmed. The charges reportedly include attempted murder, abduction and assault.
In his complaint, Kabir Ahmed said he worked at a cardboard box manufacturing unit in Pakistan Chowk, Karachi. He stated that his nephew, Ghulam Nabi, a Class VIII student aged between 17 and 18, returned home on October 11 in a frightened condition, with visible marks of torture on his face.
The teenager reportedly told his uncle that he was heading towards Lyari General Hospital for work that night when he reached Phool Patti Lane No. 20, near Dongi Chowk. He alleged that seven men confronted him, including Sharif and Arshad, sons of Baba Ladla; Uzair, son of Ishaq; Faraz, son of Qasim; Ali, son of Tahir; Ghazanfar Ali; and Shahzaib.
The complainant said the suspects had a dispute with his nephew approximately two months before the incident.
According to the teenager’s statement in the first information report (FIR), some of the men were armed when they allegedly seized him and took him to a small room. He claimed they tied his hands and feet, stripped him and subjected him to severe beatings with sticks. He further alleged that a bridle was forced into his mouth while the assault was recorded.
The complaint also stated that Sharif threatened to kill the teenager and allegedly pulled out a pistol to shoot him. However, Arshad reportedly pushed Sharif’s hand upwards, causing the bullet to miss the teenager.
The suspects allegedly released the teenager after he pleaded for his life but warned him against returning to the area. After being freed, he put on his clothes and fled home.
