Street crime in Karachi

Almost every second 'Breaking News' emanating from Karachi on the country's electronic media is about street crime. Street crime is a loose term for any criminal offence in a public place. It is not that other cities are immune to this menace; there too street robbers do their part, but its scale in Karachi is simply mind-boggling. According to police reports, between January 2015 and October 2019, a total of 92,889 people were robbed at gunpoint in streets, roads and parking lots. What the criminals took away include 82,417 cell phones, 11,305 motorbikes and 1,167 cars. Most of the victims didn't resist, but 220 of those who resisted were killed by armed robbers. In recent days, however, even a minor resistance could invite a bullet in the head. The concerned authorities had the plausible excuse to justify their poor performance when the demons of terrorism and hired guns of political masters stalked the streets of Karachi. But the present situation is markedly different from what it was a few years ago as peace has returned to a city of teeming millions. Piqued by its own lethargic and reluctant approach to this menace, the provincial government has come up with the idea of holding summary trials of street criminals. The chief minister has tasked his law, anti-corruption establishment and information adviser Murtaza Wahab and IG Police Dr Kaleem Imam to prepare recommendations for summary trials of street criminals for consideration of the cabinet. The scale of street crime in Karachi is certainly very disturbing, particularly when it remains largely unchecked. But it is not entirely unprecedented given the city's demographic tapestry, rampant unemployment and purported compromised loyalty of law-enforcers. The world over, a number of metropolises too are thickly infested with street criminals. In other countries, the foreign travellers are forewarned not to visit certain areas after sunset; local people are educated how to walk and women told not to carry precious items in their bags. And there are also summary trials, but in line with circumspection that street crime is different from other forms of crimes such as theft, burglary, pickpocketing or vehicle theft. It is a face-to-face activity where the victims are generally deprived of their possession by threat or force. Also, the summary trials do not necessarily have to follow normal rules of procedure and evidence. In cases of street crime, it is the first and final trial, helped by way of affidavit evidence or by use of expedited judicial process. The penalties include fines and jail terms. However, the cases of body harm or murder committed by muggers are tried by regular courts.

The punishment awarded by a summary trial court is essentially aimed at reforming the convict. Though the summary trial is to be one-time event and case likely to be disposed of in minutes the existing magisterial strength is just not enough to cope with this formidable challenge; there should be more magistrates. The government would be better equipped by introducing geo-location caller system and showing up promptly at the crime scene. Also, street-monitoring cameras must help Nadra identify the criminals. To sum up, the Sindh government's idea does sound good. However, the question how this idea would be transformed into an effective action has no easy answer.