KU Professor Assault Case: Suspect Konain Shah Sent On Remand

Karachi – (Staff Reporter/Wed Desk) – The KU professor assault case took a new turn on Friday after a judicial magistrate in Malir sent main suspect Konain Shah to police on a three-day physical remand. The order came in a separate case involving threats made to University of Karachi professor Dr Muhammad Arif Khan Saqi over the phone.

Shah was produced before a local court in Karachi. Police had asked for fourteen days of physical remand, but the magistrate approved only three days instead.

The court also turned down Shah’s request for release in the threats case. Judges directed police not to torture or mistreat the suspect while he remains in custody.

A medical check-up was also ordered before the next hearing. This step is meant to confirm that Shah is not harmed while in police custody.

Shah was arrested a day earlier, even though he had already secured interim pre-arrest bail. Police said they feared he might try to leave the city, so they moved quickly.

An additional district and sessions court in Malir had granted Shah bail against surety bonds of twenty thousand rupees. He was also told to join the ongoing investigation.

The same court called the investigating officer to appear and pushed the bail hearing to September 21.

The case began near Safoora Chowrangi, where Dr Saqi was attacked after his taxi collided with a double-cabin vehicle. His nephew, Waheedur Rehman, was driving the taxi at the time.

According to Dr Saqi, guards first signalled the taxi to stop before the other vehicle reversed and struck it. He then asked the men inside to pay for the damage.

Dr Saqi said the hotel owner’s son stepped out, fired two shots, and hit him with a pistol before firing more shots into the air. Both men were later taken to the hotel and beaten.

Police registered a case at Sachal police station on Dr Saqi’s complaint against Konain and others. Charges include attempted murder, assault, causing injuries, and wrongful confinement.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has asked the SSP East for a full report on the professor’s mistreatment and illegal confinement.