Bahria Town security officer arrested

RAWALPINDI, Jan 26: The chief security officer of Bahria Town, Colonel (retired) Rafaqat, was arrested by Rawat police on Wednesday after an additional district and sessions` judge rejected his bail application in the drag car race case.

Judge Mohammad Iqbal Chaddar rejected his bail application as a team of five prosecutors headed by Malik Mohammad Asghar opposed bail to the colonel on the grounds that he was one of the organisers of the unauthorised race in which five spectators were killed.

The court also dismissed the post-arrest bail application of Waleed Aman, accused of supervising the car race in Phase-VIII of the private housing society. Waleed is already in the jail.

Meanwhile, Rawat police has submitted its investigation report under section 173 of Criminal Procedure Code in the case registered on December 5.

According to the findings of the investigators, the race was organised without the approval of Rawalpindi district administration.

They said Majid Naeem (driver) could not control his car which first hit an electricity pole and then crushed the spectators standing on the pavement along side the road.

Though the driver had the driving licence but he was taking part in an authorized race, the investigators maintained.

The report further said innocent lives were lost due to the event that was not allowed by the authorities concerned and the accused could be proceeded against under the murder charges.

As far as the role of Sheikh Atif, one of the organizers, and Bharia Town chief executive Ali Riaz is concerned the investigators said they had abetted in the crime by organising the unauthorised event.

Meanwhile, Ali Riaz, son of Malik Riaz, will appear in the Lahore High Court on Thursday as he had obtained pre-arrest bail from the high court.— Our Reporter

Dawn