Karachi court grants bail to SSP’s son arrested in DHA snap-check altercation with police

A judicial magistrate on Saturday granted bail to Khubaib, son of a senior police officer, who was arrested in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) following a heated argument with policemen over an allegedly fake number plate on a luxury vehicle. The hearing was conducted before the court of the judicial magistrate (South), where the suspect appeared along with his counsels, including Usama Ali Gujar, Faisal Sheikh and Waheed Sheikh. During the proceedings, defence counsel argued that the case against the suspect was based on a false and fabricated story, maintaining that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding. The lawyer submitted that the suspect did not resist police officials and had voluntarily gone to the police station with his parents after the incident. Read: SSP’s son held after DHA checkpoint clash in Karachi The defence further contended that a police official had acknowledged a mistake at the station and that the matter had been resolved through dialogue. It also questioned the registration of the case nine hours after the alleged incident, arguing that all charges included in the case were bailable and that the accused was willing to cooperate with the investigation fully. After hearing arguments, the court allowed the bail application and directed the suspect to furnish surety bonds worth Rs50,000. According to the police, the suspect had engaged in a quarrel with officers, used abusive language and interfered with official duties. A case was registered against him at the Defence Police Station. Speaking to the media within the court premises after securing bail, Khubaib claimed that there was no formal checkpoint at the location where he was stopped. “There was no proper checkpoint where I was stopped. The police had some other intention and wanted to defame me,” he said. He said no demand for money was made, adding that he had introduced his mother to the officers when he was stopped. Khubaib further said that one of the officials claimed to be a station house officer, while he himself was a law student awaiting his licence. He said he later went to the police station with his parents to resolve the matter. Also Read: FBR inspector critically wounded in Clifton shooting; case registered against ex-cop's son The incident happened during snap checking in Phase VII between Thursday and Friday night, when police had stopped a double-cabin vehicle fitted with police-style lights and an allegedly fake number plate. What followed was a heated exchange between the driver — later identified as Khubaib, son of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Naseem Ara Panhwar — and Sub-Inspector Shahzaib Shakeel, the in-charge of the Qayyumabad police post. In videos recorded from both sides, the situation quickly escalated. Police footage showed the officer accusing the young man of hurling abuses and grabbing his collar, while repeatedly warning him to remain respectful. A separate clip, filmed by the driver, captured the officer retorting, “What was so special about being an SSP’s son? I am one too,” as tensions mounted. Police later registered a case and arrested Khubaib on charges including obstruction of duty, impersonation and use of a fake number plate, along with allegations of misconduct and physical confrontation. Authorities said the vehicle had carried unauthorised police fittings, including tinted windows and official-style lights. According to the first information report, the suspect had allegedly refused to identify himself, claimed his mother was a senior officer and directed armed guards accompanying him to push the officer aside. The complainant further alleged that, during an attempt to detain him, the suspect had grabbed his collar, used abusive language and fled the scene with his guards. However, the suspect’s father, Ali Anwar, presented a sharply different account. Speaking to reporters, he claimed that after the incident, both he and his wife had visited the police station, where the officer in question had apologised. He said the family had cooperated fully and handed over the vehicle, but alleged that the situation had changed dramatically after the video went viral.

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