Scuffle in Karachi's DHA: Inquiry report says allegations in FIR 'not substantiated'

Scuffle in Karachi's DHA: Inquiry report notes allegations in FIR 'not substantiated'.

Key points

• Imtiaz Ali Published September 4, 2026 Updated September 4, 2026 02: 26pm.
• Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field.
• Last week, CCTV footage of the physical altercation between the residents of an apartment building in DHA's Phase 6 surfaced on social media.
• It identified the police authorities visible in the CCTV footage as constables Saqib and Haider Sultan.
• "Hence, all three officials of District South are recommended to be strictly proceeded against departmentally for miscarriage of justice, " it remarked.

Imtiaz Ali Published September 4, 2026 Updated September 4, 2026 02: 26pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

KARACHI: An inquiry report into a scuffle at an apartment building in Defence Housing Authority's (DHA) Phase 6, CCTV footage of which went viral on social media, remarked that the allegations in the first information report (FIR) were "not substantiated" by the findings while additionally recommending departmental action against police authorities involved in the incident, it emerged on Friday.

Last week, CCTV footage of the physical altercation between the residents of an apartment building in DHA's Phase 6 surfaced on social media. The footage indicated police office-holders restraining a woman as she was attacked by another woman with a dumbbell.

Nevertheless, the FIR of the incident was registered against the woman who was assaulted and her brother. Subsequently, an inquiry was ordered into the incident.

For context, the inquiry report, a copy of which is available with Dawn, was submitted to the Karachi police extra inspector general by South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Zone Syed Asad Raza.

According to the report, a fact-finding enquiry was conducted to ascertain the actual turn of events, determine the circumstances leading to the altercation, and examine the conduct of police office-holders present at the scene.

While CCTV footage and mobile phone footage was additionally examined, it remarked that all available documentary and electronic data and departmental records were scrutinised. According to It further, the statements of 13 residents were additionally recorded.

For context, the report discovered that the incident was sparked by a parking dispute between the mother-in-law of Korangi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Fida Hussain Janwari and another resident.

It identified the police authorities visible in the CCTV footage as constables Saqib and Haider Sultan. While the official who handed over his weapon for this purpose was Constable Amir Sohail, it further continued that the plainclothes man who destroyed the CCTV camera in the footage was Constable Taimoor Ahmed.

"All were detailed for duty at the private bungalow of the Korangi SSP, " it remarked.

In its recommendations, the report remarked that the allegations registered in the FIR did not "substantiate" the findings, and directed that the case be disposed off in accordance with the law.

According to It additionally, an FIR should be registered against the SSP's mother-in-law and her daughter and son as well as the police authorities present at the time of the incident, while the "victim family shall be encouraged to initiate legal action at free will against them".

According to It further, the on-the-spot arrests in the case without justifiable evidence by Darakshan Station House Officer Rashid Ali and Assistant Sub-inspector Aftab Mangi were not justifiable and spoke of the office-holders' "tilt towards the aggressive party".

It remarked that the investigating officer, identified as SIP Imran, additionally undertook "no serious efforts" to collect evidence and did not independently apply his mind to investigate the case.

According to the report, the actions of constables Taimoor and Amir, specifically the facilitating of one party in the fray to the detriment of the other and vandalising the CCTV camera, "far exceed the pale of lawful duty, bordering on criminal misconduct".

According to It additionally, constables Saqib and Haider, acting as "minions" of the perpetrators, "overlooked their basic duty as guardians of rights of people".

"Their negligence and partisanship led to physical assault and further escalation. Had they merely intimated immediate senior or local police regarding the impending situation, the worse could have been averted. Strict departmental action is recommended against all four authorities commensurate with their misconduct under the relevant rules, " it stated.

According to It further, the "lapse of supervision and lack of control over his subordinates is evident on the part of the Korangi SSP". It pressed examining his overall conduct in light of Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020 and to take further action in this regard.

According to The inquiry report, police officers must be strictly advised to train and supervise cops assigned for staff duties to act lawfully and treat fellow citizens fairly and respectfully in their daily interactions with the public.

"When faced with acrimonious situations, it is their bounden duty to act lawfully and bring such matters to the notice of their immediate senior instead of taking instructions from family members who are not authorised so that such violations are avoided in the future, " the report concluded.

In the CCTV footage of the incident, a woman can be seen rushing down a flight of stairs with a dumbbell in her hand and charging at another woman before using it to hit her.

Notably, the video additionally demonstrated two individuals in what appeared to be police uniforms restraining the woman being assaulted, and a man who came up the stairs shortly after and began arguing with the woman with the dumbbell.

After which the woman with a dumbbell and another man began banging on their door and yelling obscenities, at one point, the man and woman being assaulted managed to go inside what appeared to be their home.

At the end, a man in a shalwar kameez was seen using a weapon, provided by one of the individuals in uniform, to smash the CCTV camera.

But the incident's first information report (FIR) offered a different version of events. It was registered at Darakhshan police station at 1: 40am on Aug 21.

Notably, the FIR seen by Dawn invoked Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (criminal intimidation), 337A(I) (punishment of shajjah), 382 (theft after preparation created for causing death, hurt or restraint to commit theft) and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

In the FIR, the complainant described herself as a resident of the fourth floor of an apartment building, adding that a man, his sister and their mother – who resided on the third floor – came to their door and began kicking it.

Meanwhile, the complainant alleged that the three family members hurled verbal abuses over a parking matter, and upon opening the door, began beating and threatening her.

While their mother fled, the FIR remarked, subsequently, local police arrived on the spot and took the brother and sister into custody.

Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, administration affairs, and the health sector.

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