Family protests after cops torture man to death

Police accused victim of mixing chemicals in medicines

GUJRANWALA: A man was allegedly tortured to death by police in Gujranwala’s Sadhuke area, Express News has learnt.

Reportedly, 65-year-old Sabir Abbas, a resident of Mohallah Salamatpura, was a hakeem by profession. He used to treat and provide herbal medicines to ailing patients.

However, the officials from City police station allegedly harassed and minted money from Sabir after accusing him of mixing life threatening chemicals in his medicines.

On the day of the incident, the accused policemen reached the victim’s house and demanded a bribe from him. When he refused to give the money, the cops tortured him. As a result, he sustained critical injuries and died on the spot. When the deceased’s family members raised a hue and cry, the policemen fled the scene.

Meanwhile, Sabir’s family told Express News that a day prior to the incident, police took Rs25,000 from the victim, later demanding more money. After the incident, residents lodged a protest against the police officials and demanded the authorities award stern punishment to the accused.

Later, City Circle police ASP reached the scene and held negotiations with the protesters. He assured them that the policemen responsible will be taken to task and punished. After assurances, the protesters dispersed peacefully.

In January, a man was tortured to death by police in Kabirwala. Thirty-year-old Imran Ashraf was taken into custody by Qadirpur Ran Police ASI Muhammad Naveed for allegedly stealing goats from the area. However, during the course of the interrogation, police officials subjected him to brutality which reportedly led to his death.

Later, an inquiry into the death of the suspect confirmed that two cops, Qadirpur Ran Police Station SHO Falak Sher and ASI Naveed, were involved in the incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2019.