KARACHI: The urine sample of the main suspect in a headline-grabbing hit-and-run accident in Karachi in which two people were killed earlier this month had tested positive for methamphetamine or ‘ice,’ a lab report seen by Arab News on Thursday said.
CCTV footage of the accident widely circulated on social media showed a fast moving Toyota Land Cruiser hitting a motorbike from behind, killing a female student and her father on August 19. Five others were also injured in the incident. The driver of the car, Natasha Iqbal, the wife of well-known businessman Danish Iqbal, was arrested at the spot of the accident.
As part of the investigation, blood and urine samples were collected on the day of the accident and submitted to a lab on Aug. 21. A report was released to police on Wednesday.
“Methamphetamine (ice) detected in the given sample,” the report, a copy of which is available with Arab News, said of Iqbal’s urine sample.
Her blood sample, however, showed “no narcotic, sedative, psychoactive, toxic or any other foreign compound/element.”
Soon after the accident, Iqbal was admitted to Jinnah Hospital’s psychiatry ward after her family claimed she was suffering from psychiatric issues, and being treated with medication. She was sent on 14-day judicial remand last Wednesday.
The incident sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing the police of providing preferential treatment to Iqbal since she comes from a rich and influential family.
Two officials with direct knowledge of the investigation also confirmed the suspect had tested positive for methamphetamine. Arab News reached out to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Investigations Aleena Rajpar who did not comment on the lab report.
“The report confirms that she was under the influence of ice,” a senior police official said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media on the subject. “This finding will lead to an additional charge of driving under the influence of drugs.”
Another top official privy to the details of the case also said methamphetamine had been found in Iqbal’s urine sample.
“It also didn’t find any signs of any medicines which the family claimed she was taking for psychiatric issues.”
The senior police official said Iqbal would be tried for manslaughter regardless of whether or not it was proven that she was intoxicated at the time of the incident. If a blood money compromise was reached between the two parties, Iqbal would still be tried for driving under the influence, he said.
“The settlement might happen but the crime of drugs itself won’t be settled through compensation,” the official explained. “If the prosecution can prove this in the trial, she will be punished, if not, she will be acquitted.”
Prominent lawyer and rights activist Jibran Nasir agreed with the police official, saying if methamphetamine had been detected in Iqbal’s test results, then offenses under the Provincial Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965 would be applicable in her case.
Section 9 (2) under the Control of Narcotics Substances Act 1997 should also be added to the charges for the use or consumption of the drug, he added.
Nasir said Iqbal would be charged with manslaughter and not murder since the drugs were not consumed with the intention to run over someone.
“The use of drugs, however, will prove the element of rash and negligence beyond reasonable doubt.” he added, “and the driver can get the maximum penalty of 10 years jail term.”
