Karachi court remands 3 suspects in police custody in Azaan kidnapping case

A judicial magistrate on Wednesday granted four-day physical remand of three suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping-for-ransom of a two-year-old boy from Karachi's Naya Nazimabad.

The suspects were produced before the court with their faces covered. The judicial magistrate (West) conducted the proceedings in camera as media personel were also barred from entering the courtroom to cover the hearing.

According to judicial sources, the magistrate remanded the suspects in police custody for four days.

The IO stated that the prime suspect, Ehtesham, is a friend of the child's father, while co-accused Abdul Wahab is the prime suspect's brother-in-law. Another suspect, Iftikhar, allegedly provided logistical support to the accused in the Gharo area, prompting investigators to seek physical custody for further questioning.

According to police, the accused include prime suspect Ehtesham and his two alleged accomplices, Abdul Hasan and Iftikhar.

Investigators said that Ehtesham remained with the victim's family during the search for the missing child, allegedly attempting to divert suspicion. Police claim he orchestrated the kidnapping with the help of his brother-in-law and another associate to stage the crime.

The two-year-old, identified as Azaan, was later recovered safely from the Gharo area.

Police further alleged that the prime suspect used the WhatsApp number of a friend living abroad to demand PKR 5 million in ransom from the child's father.

According to investigators, the child was abducted outside his home in Naya Nazimabad on July 18, and a case was subsequently registered at Manghopir Police Station.