KARACHI, June 5: While a case was registered against some paramilitary soldiers for killing a youth in Shah Faisal Colony, the Rangers authorities did not hand over the custody of their personnel to police for investigation, it emerged on Wednesday.

A case was registered under Section 302 (premeditated murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code against the Rangers personnel on a complaint of victim’s cousin Abdul Salam late on Tuesday night, said SSP-East Imran Shaukat.

Shah Faisal SP Usman Bajwa told Dawn that the Rangers would hand over the custody of their men to the police ‘after completing their inquiry’ into the incident.

He said that the Rangers promised to hand over the custody along with the weapon used in the killing.

He said the complainant had not named anyone in the FIR, but mentioned the presence of some Rangers personnel there.

The investigation officer of the case, Sub-Inspector Ayaz Shah, told Dawn that the Rangers were supposed to hand over ‘five-six personnel’ to the police for interrogation to ascertain their role, if any in the murder.

He said if others were found innocent during the probe, they would be absolved from charges.

The IO said that the police had written a letter to the Rangers authorities seeking custody of their personnel.

A Rangers spokesperson, however, said that the individual had already been placed under suspension and the Rangers director general ordered an inquiry to find out the circumstances leading to the death of the man.

He said that the personnel would likely to be handed over to the police after completion of the inquiry.

On Tuesday, Rangers personnel gunned down a young man, Ghulam Haider, in Shah Faisal Colony No. 2.

The victim was driving a car when he was shot under controversial circumstances. His cousin, Abdul Salam, was also accompanied him as they were returning from a hospital after his treatment.

The police initially believed that there were ‘different versions’ of the incident and they were investigating the case.

The incident angered the relatives and residents of the area who protested, urging the authorities to take notice of the murder.