In a stark case of abuse of power, a former Station House Officer (SHO) of Islamabad's Lohi Bher Police Station has been dismissed from service. The action follows a proven inquiry into serious allegations of blackmail, harassment, and extortion against a female doctor who had approached the police seeking justice.
Details of the Harassment and Blackmail
The complainant, a lady doctor originally from Sialkot who works in Islamabad and is a Hafiz-e-Quran, submitted a detailed written application to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Islamabad, Muhammad Jawad Tariq. She stated that her ordeal began when she went to the Lohi Bher Police Station to file a formal complaint seeking justice.
Instead of helping her, the then SHO, Sohail Ashraf Kahot, allegedly began blackmailing her on various pretexts. He threatened that a case could be registered against her, which would lead to her arrest and create severe problems in her professional employment. The doctor, a mother of two infant children, claimed the harassment continued for several months.
Forced Marriage Proposal and Extortion
The former police officer persistently harassed her through WhatsApp messages and pressured her to marry him, despite knowing she was already married. The victim also alleged that Kahot took cash from her on multiple occasions. When she ran out of money, she was forced to hand over her valuable gold jewellery to him in a desperate attempt to protect her family life and honour.
The harassment escalated when the ex-SHO allegedly entered her flat by force, disguising himself as a Foodpanda delivery rider. During this incident, her husband arrived, and the accused reportedly pushed him before fleeing the scene. Evidence of this encounter is said to be available.
Swift Action and Dismissal
Traumatized by the ongoing harassment, the lady doctor left Islamabad for Sialkot, kept her mobile phone switched off for about one and a half months, and faced serious difficulties in her job. She presented screenshots of the WhatsApp messages sent by the former SHO as concrete evidence to DIG Tariq.
Taking immediate notice, DIG Muhammad Jawad Tariq ordered a merit-based inquiry. The investigation thoroughly examined the allegations and found them to be fully substantiated. Consequently, the DIG issued formal orders for the dismissal of former sub-inspector Sohail Ashraf Kahot from service.
This case highlights a severe breach of trust and the abuse of authority within the police force. The swift disciplinary action sends a clear message that such misconduct will not be tolerated, especially against citizens seeking help from those sworn to protect them.
