Suspicious suicide: Police yet to take action over ‘custodial death’

Arshad allegedly shot himself in the head while still at a police station


Our Correspondent November 18, 2016
PHOTO: AFP

ABBOTTABAD: Almost 24 hours after a man committed suicide while in police detention, officials have yet to take legal action against cops who allegedly, albeit indirectly, helped him carry out the deed.

Relatives of Muhammad Arshad, son of Haji Muhammad Akram of Mohar Kalan, said that policemen had taken him to the Nawanshehr police station on Thursday afternoon and charged him with giving a fake cheque of Rs500,000 to Hafeez, a resident of Abbottabad.

According to the complainant, Hafeez sold a car to Arshad who paid him Rs120,000 in cash and promised to give the remaining amount of Rs500,000 after two months.

On the day when the remaining payment was due, Arshad gave Hafeez a cheque for the remaining amount. Hafeez took the cheque to the bank to cash it, but it bounced since there were insufficient funds in the account.

Hafeez subsequently lodged a complaint and police arrested Arshad from Jogan Mohalla.



Soon after police arrested Arshad, Hafeez and some of his friends reached the police station.

However, before the two sides could reach a compromise, Arshad pretended to receive a call on his cell phone and went outside. All of a sudden, a gunshot rang out and the policemen rushed outside, only to see the suspect lying with a fatal wound.

Police said Arshad had shot himself in the head with a 30 bore pistol and died before he could receive medical assistance.

However, Arshad's family accused the police of an extra judicial killing, adding that all those visiting police stations are thoroughly searched.

Naeem, a relative, said Arshad suffered a single bullet to his forehead and his death left questions marks over the performance of the Abbottabad police. He said if this was not an incident of murder, then the circumstances under which the deceased was taken to the station must be considered.

The relative added that people who shoot themselves usually aim for the chest or temple and not the forehead. He accused the police of helping Arshad commit suicide and demanded legal action against officials responsible.

Meanwhile, when approached for comments, Nawanshehr SHO Ali Farman said an inquiry was underway. Mirpur DSP Tahir Iqbal, however, said that at least three officials, identified as Safeer, Sagheer and Naseem, were suspended for negligence.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2016.

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