Several tactics are used to hide torture
In our country cases of custodial death are increasing day by day. The primary duty of the police is to protect the citizens and their rights but sadly here in Pakistan instead of protecting the citizens some policemen think it is okay to harass and torture them. They misuse the word “custodians of law” and take the law into their own hands.
Instead of investigating and trying to find the truth they start torturing the accused in order to make them confess to the crimes they didn’t even commit. Even if they committed those crimes nothing gives the right to the police to punish them without a trial. It is only the judiciary that can punish them and that too in accordance with the law.
Recently a man named Salahuddin, a suspected robber who was seen robbing an ATM and sticking his tongue out and making faces in the CCTV cameras. He was arrested by the police and a video of him being tortured during an investigation was released and then the next day his death was confirmed. His father stated that his son was mentally disabled and that is why he had tattooed his name and address on his arm for identification purposes. There were torture marks and bruises on his body.
But the question is why was he tortured? For committing a crime of which he himself wasn’t aware? A person who didn’t even have the sense of vice and virtue was allegedly tortured to death. It is sad and ironic at the same time that the police themselves violate laws. Several tactics are used to hide torture.
The incident has left a question mark not only for the authorities but for the nation as well why we failed to get justice for Salahuddin.
Rida Hamna Iftikhar
Islamabad
