Alleged blackmailing drives labourer to suicide

Deceased was the father of four children

HAZRO:

A 40-year-old man who reportedly committed suicide three days ago succumbed to his injuries at the hospital on Thursday.

The victim’s family and several residents of the Painda village staged a protest outside the Rango police station with the dead body in tow. The protest continued for eight hours straight, and a large contingent of law-enforcement officials was deployed.

During the protest, the deceased, Aziz Chaudhry’s family members and relatives, alleged that their son took his life after being disheartened by the police blackmailing him. They demanded that a case should be registered against the police officials involved. The deceased was a labourer and was the father of four children.

Meanwhile, the investigation officers informed the family that they believed Chaudhary was involved in the death of councillor Haji Mushtaq, who was murdered a few days ago. They said the police officials stated Chaudhary was involved in the murder according to some suspects they had arrested.

The protesters also revealed that the police allegedly demanded Rs0.4 million from Chaudhary, and threatened to frame him in a case which is why he committed suicide.

Upon getting information about the protest, Attock SSP and Hazro Circle DSP also reached the Rango police station to negotiate with the protesters. Meanwhile, police officials said a post-mortem of the body was required for registering the case.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2021.