K-P reacts to viral video of police brutality in Peshawar

FIR registered, cops handed over for physical remand, investigation committees formed, amid protests

Yesterday's uproar on the incident of police brutality in Peshawar that went viral on social media spilled over onto Thursday. Protests were held, the courts took notice, politicians reacted, the provincial government announced a judicial commission.

On Thursday, the matter was brought up before the Peshawar High Court, and the accused were handed over to the police for a two-day physical remand.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) IGP and Peshawar CCPO appeared before the court responding to summons by Justice Qaiser Rashid Khan.

"What is happening, in which direction are the police headed," asked Justice Khan of the IGP. The history of police is full of sacrifices, and yet, on the other hand, we have such incidents, he remarked.

This incident has shaken the foundations of society, observed the judge. The entire department is getting a bad name due to the black sheep, he added.

"You have appointed abnormal people as SHOs. The position of an SHO comes with great responsibility, you should test to see if they are mentally sound before appointing," remarked the judge.

Justice Khan directed the police officials to conduct an inquiry into the incident, but cautioned against "giving a clean chit" to the IGP, CCPO's own people. "Also lodge an FIR against the personnel involved."

The incident that occurred was an unfortunate one, said the IGP. He informed the court that the errant SHO and personnel have been suspended.

Don't excuse any of the personnel involved, conduct an inquiry and reprimand all those who were involved, remarked Justice Khan.

The accused police personnel were produced before the judicial magistrate, and the court handed them over to the police for two-day physical remand.

The incident and protests

The video that went viral on social media yesterday, showed police personnel torturing, and forcibly stripping a man naked, allegedly after he abused the police department in an intoxicated state.

The man was identified as Amir, the head waiter at a marriage hall.

The video, which was released by the cops themselves, garnered backlash from journalists and human rights activists. Subsequently, an FIR was registered against the accused personnel.

Demonstrators on Thursday blocked Sher Shah Suri Road and burnt tires in protest. They demanded action against the accused cops, and decried the government's claims of bringing about police reforms in K-P.

Demonstrations were also held outside the press club and the provincial assembly.

The protesters called for justice for Amir, and expressed lack of faith in an inquiry conducted by the police department itself. They called for a judicial commission instead.

As protests grew violent, a man on a motorcycle was also beaten up by the mob that accused him of being an accomplice of the police.

The police eventually dispersed the protesters and vehicular traffic resumed.

Judicial commission announced

K-P Adviser to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Ajmal Wazir announced that a judicial commission will be set-up to probe the matter.

Heading a meeting on Thursday, he said that an inquiry would be conducted under the supervision of a senior judge of the Peshawar High Court.

A notification in this regard will be issued after consultation with the PHC chief justice, he said.

Moreover, added the CM's aide, the investigation will be completed in 15 days and the report of the incident will be made public by the provincial government.

He also visited the family of the victim and assured them of justice.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Prosecutor Fazal Noorani has added Sections 116 and 342 of Pakistan Penal Code [pertaining to abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment, and  punishment for wrongful confinement, respectively], as well as Sections 20, 21, and 24, of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, to the case.

The public safety commission also wrote to the IGP, seeking the inclusion of the above mentioned sections.

Earlier, a two-member committee was formed to supervise the investigation. The committee comprises of senior public prosecutors Sangeen Shah and Rafiullah.