HYDERABAD: The inquiry committee comprising the Hyderabad DIG and three SSPs looking into a motive for the recent arrest of Bashir Brohi, the manager of Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, in a kidnapping for ransom case, has decided to invite former SSP Pir Farid Jan Sarhandi to record his statement `if he so wishes`, sources privy to the probe body said on Wednesday.

The case pertains to the October 2014 kidnapping of Asif Memon (a cousin of former DIG Bashir Memon) who had been held hostage for 82 days and was released on payment of Rs7.5 million ransom under a deal allegedly brokered by Brohi, an informer of the then Hyderabad SSP Sarhandi.

Brohi was arrested on Sept 3 in the Qasimabad area of Hyderabad by a team of the Thatta police formed by SSP Sarhandi, who was serving as the Thatta SSP at thattime and was transferred by the DIG reportedly over Brohi`s dramatic arrest.

The sources said that a formal letter would be sent to SSP Sarhandi asking him if was interested in recording his statement.

The letter would be served through CIA DSP Aslam Langah.

`Initially, it was suggested that a questionnaire be sent to SSP Sarhandi to seek his version but later the idea was dropped.

Some questions e.g. whether SSP Sarhandi is involved in a dispute with the minister and why he hired Bashir Brohl in police were to be asked from the police officer.

However, it was argued that such questions can still be put to him if he appears before the committee, said the sources.

The committee comprising Hyderabad DIG Khadim Rind (head) and SSPs Irfan Baloch, Amjad Shaikh and Tariq Vilayat, has already recorded the statement of Brohi, who confessed to having received Rs7.5 million asransom for the release of Asif Memon.

Two policemen, Anwar Lalcho and Zulfiqar Arain, who had arrested Brohi, in their statements before the committee said they simply complied with the orders of the SSP.

`Looking into the past roles of Lakho and Arain is something beyond present case. Still, the case is open and this can be seen if needed,` a source quoting a committee member said.

In reply to a question whether the committee would also invite Sharjeel Memon to record his statement if SSP Sarhandi made a reference naming him or a disclosure, SSP Baloch said that it depended on SSP Sarhandi`s statement.

The source said that the inquiry committee was interested in ascertaining that either Sharjeel Memon or SSP Sarhandi had anything to do with the kidnapping, ransom or the deal leading to the victim`s release. It is also supposedto establish whether the ransom was paid at the minister`s residence and whether the minister or any other government functionary was forcing the police to release Brohi, the allegations attributed by the media to SSP Sarhandi.

It is learnt through a reliable source that Brohi was actually arrested in Thatta, and not in Qasimabad, when he approached the (Thatta) police in connection with a dispute involving some members of the Brohi tribe.

The family of Asif Memon did not lodge a kidnapping case after his release because, according to reports, they had taken the oath not to opt for any legal action against the kidnappers or those who helped release the victim.

However, an FIR was registered on behalf of the state at the Hatri police station many months after the victim`s release and only after Brohi`s arrest.

Brohi is at present on 15-day police remand obtained from the Hyderabad Anti-Terrorism Court.