Authorities ‘helpless’ in Services Hospital lynching case

LAHORE: Tuesday marks a week since the lynching of Sunil Saleem Masih occurred. However, so far, authorities have yet to take action.

“Yesterday was Easter, but for me it was a day of mourning because my brother’s murderers are still at large. A week has gone by but the police still remain in the dark.”

These were the words of Aneel Masih, brother of the victim who was lynched allegedly by staff members of the city’s Services Hospital.

“Even the inquiry committee has not asked me to testify and identify the culprits,” he stated, clearly frustrated by the arduous investigation process and the attitude of the joint investigation team (JIT). “I demand that they reconstitute the JIT,” he declared.

Shadman Police Investigation Office Inspector Husnain Hyder agrees that authorities are helpless. We cannot arrest the culprits since they possess pre-arrest bails, he said.

However, Hyder remains adamant that the JIT are doing everything possible in their power to resolve the situation. “If the deceased’s family wants to reform the JIT, let them do it,” he stated while shrugging his shoulders. “We will apprehend all those responsible as soon as possible,” he reassured.

Immediately after the incident occurred, the health department formed a separate committee to launch an inquiry into the incident. The committee, headed by Allama Iqbal Medical College Former Principal Eice Muhammad, was directed to submit a detailed report within three days. However, so far no report has been submitted. Police are also awaiting the detailed report from the inquiry committee.

When questioned about the delay, a spokesperson from the health department informed said the inquiry committee had asked for three more days to submit the report.

They will submit the report on Wednesday as they are still inspecting CCTV footage and interviewing the culprits and the deceased’s family members, the spokesperson stated.

Meanwhile, Masih’s family remains in limbo, caught between celebrating Easter and mourning the death of their beloved husband and father.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2018.