IHC directs IG Islamabad to submit report on 'police torture' of Mohsin Baig

Lawyer claims accused was 'severely tortured' in police custody

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday sought a report from Inspector General (IG) Islamabad regarding alleged torture by police personnel of media personality Mohsin Baig by February 21.

The high court heard petitions, filed by Baig's wife, for the dismissal of terrorism and other charges brought against him.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Sardar Latif Khosa, stated that the accused was severely tortured while in police custody by 15 people in the SHO's room and met them with great difficulty.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that “only the accused can move the petition to dispose of the cases as he is the affected party. Since the petition was not filed by the accused, therefore it cannot be heard”.

The court then directed IG Islamabad to produce a report on the alleged torture of Baig by Monday and directed the police to take action in accordance with the law. The chief justice also said that legal access to the media personality should not be blocked.

At the request of the petitioner's counsel, the court granted respite to Baig to file the petition.

Read: Mohsin Baig's spouse challenges terrorism case in IHC

On Thursday, Baig’s wife challenged the terrorism case against him.

His wife had petitioned for the dismissal of the terrorism case, stating that the police had registered a false and baseless case against Baig in the Margalla police station and that the court should order the police to dismiss the case.

On Wednesday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had arrested Baig. The agency had registered the case against Baig days after the former made unethical remarks against Murad Saeed during a private TV channel programme.

The programme received heavy criticism from the government quarters, and the channel was also served a show-cause notice by the media regulator.