A rice trader in Karachi, burdened by heavy debts, allegedly orchestrated a chilling plan to fake his own death by killing an innocent labourer and burning the body inside a car in Surjani Town. This grim case has revealed the extreme lengths taken to avoid creditors.
Karachi District West police have cracked the case involving the charred remains found in the vehicle, leading to the arrest of the alleged mastermind, Zeeshan Naz, along with his employee Mustafa, also known as Zaigham.
Zeeshan, struggling with financial liabilities, initially intended to end his life by jumping into the sea. However, his employee intervened and proposed a scheme to simulate Zeeshan’s death instead.
Senior Superintendent of Police West, Tariq Elahi Mastoi, explained that on the morning of July 27, the suspects lured a disabled labourer named Qurban Hussain, aged 38, from Mazdoor Chowk in North Karachi with promises of employment and payment.
The suspects took Qurban to a secluded area and forced him to ingest a poisonous tablet commonly used to protect rice from insects. When Qurban’s condition worsened, they strangled him inside the car.
In a further attempt to disguise the victim’s identity as Zeeshan’s, the suspects shaved Qurban’s moustache, changed his clothes, and placed Zeeshan’s mobile phone, wallet, and other personal items near the body.
They then doused the body and vehicle with petrol and set the car ablaze. A gas cylinder was also placed inside the vehicle, likely to simulate an accident or suicide.
The plan began to fall apart when Zeeshan sustained burn injuries while igniting the fire. His accomplice Zaigham fled the scene following Zeeshan’s injury.
Initially, investigators believed the burnt body was Zeeshan’s. However, through biometric verification, forensic technology, and technical evidence, police confirmed the victim was actually Qurban Hussain.
After the incident, Zeeshan hid within the premises of Aga Khan Hospital, where he shaved his head and beard to avoid recognition. Hospital security detained a suspicious man, who later contacted his wife, enabling police to trace and arrest him.
Authorities have stated that investigations are ongoing to uncover further details of this disturbing case.
