KU Professor Assault Case: Main Accused Granted Interim Bail

The Additional District and Sessions Court in Malir has granted interim bail to Konin Shah, the main suspect in the assault and illegal detention of Karachi University Professor Arif Saqi and his nephew

During the hearing, the Malir Sessions Court directed the primary accused, Konin Shah, to submit a surety bond of Rs. 20,000. The court ordered the suspect to join the ongoing police investigation and adjourned the bail application until September 21. The investigating officer has been summoned to appear at the next hearing.

The case stems from an incident near Safoora Chowrangi in Karachi where Professor Arif Saqi (head of the Islamic Studies Department at the University of Karachi) intervened after a double-cabin vehicle collided with his transport.

According to the FIR registered at Sachal Police Station, the professor says that two gunmen tortured me and my nephew. They demanded compensation for damaging our vehicle.

Allegations and Investigation Status

The FIR outlines serious charges against Konin Ali Gohar Shah and co accused individuals, including:

• Attempted Murder and Assault: The suspects allegedly struck the professor and his nephew with pistol butts. The armed suspects also took away the nephew’s car with them.
• Wrongful Confinement: The victims were allegedly dragged into a nearby hotel, beaten, and held against their will
• Aerial Firing: Witnesses and the FIR state that shots were fired in the air during the altercation

Police previously detained three hotel employees in connection with the violence. Teachers’ associations across Karachi have strongly condemned the attack and demanded full accountability.