A chemical report to ascertain the cause of death will take about two more weeks. PHOTO: FILE
According to the report, traces of four injuries were found on Singh’s body including a fracture in the right knee, a 1.5-2.0cm abrasion on the left knee joint, an abrasion over his upper lip and scars on his thigh. At the time of Singh’s death, close to 100ml of undigested food was present in his body.
A chemical report to ascertain the cause of death will take about two more weeks.
The autopsy was conducted by a medical board from Mian Muhammad Munshi Hospital at Jinnah Hospital Lahore, about two months after Singh’s death. The autopsy was conducted on March 13, the same day Singh’s body was sent back to India. Prior to that, the body had been kept at the morgue of Jinnah Hospital.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a doctor who had earlier treated Singh at the Jinnah Hospital told The Express Tribune that the prisoner was brought to the hospital after he fell unconscious. Singh, however, was dead on arrival, the doctor maintained, adding that his body bore signs of torture. According to the doctor, the hospital was given no file for Singh’s case as well, which goes against the regular practice.
Awais Sheikh, counsel for Indian prisoners in Pakistan, said he holds both the Punjab home department and the Interior ministry responsible for Singh’s death, alongside jail officials. He accused the departments of trying to sweep the issue beneath the rug, adding that he will file a petition against jail officials who kept Singh in custody.
Sheikh had earlier approached the Lahore High Court for an inquiry into Singh’s death, but his petition was turned down.
The case’s investigation officer, meanwhile, said that they were waiting for the final autopsy report and would act accordingly against accused individuals if the allegation of torture is conclusively proved.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2013.
COMMENTS (8)
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Same happens in India, there is no difference between us, we will keep torturing each other, mentally and physically. And this will not deter us, we will also keep sending spies to each other. No hope, No humanity
@ All Indians,
Be brave and learn to know there are no rules for prisoners of both countries in jail.
After all it's police.
The question is WHY. Why was he tortured by the authorities. Its obvious that he was not tortured by other jailed men.
If you are expecting "Respect for Human Rights" from the said authorities, you are asking too much. RIP one more Indian Prisoner.
why did lahore HC turned down the petition,,,does judiciary has also turned inhumane in pak??
Next to go shall be Serbajeet Singh.
These abrasions are too small to be called torture. And abrasions can be caused by transporting dead body from one stretcher to another. X-ray of knee for fracture? Get an MRI , a simple X-ray won't differentiate between new old fracture vs osteoarthritis. Dr. Someone.
Very sad indeed. Is this the treatment given to an Indian prisoner? I wonder what would happen to another Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh who has already spent more than a life sentence term in Pakistan?