Suspected dacoit slain in captivity

Family members lodge case of murder against police officers

JARANWALA:

A suspected dacoit in police captivity was killed in Samanabad police station. The slain, Khalid Hussain, was caught committing a robbery by local shop owners who tortured him before reporting him to the police.

Rescue 1122 shifted him to a hospital to provide medical aid. Hussain was later handed over to the Samanabad police.

At the police station, ASI Riasat Ali was conducting investigation of the injured dacoit, when he allegedly tortured him and his condition worsened. Hussain was then taken to General Hospital Ghulam Muhammadabad in the ASI’s private vehicle. When the doctors asked to register the dacoit, the ASI took him back to the police station where he died in lockup.

Initially, the police tried to cover up the death of the dacoit. However, senior officers, SSP Investigation Captain (Rtd) Muhammad Ajmal, SP Iqbal Town Usman Saifi and DSP Factory Area Rana Attaur Rahman took notice of the matter and reached Samanabad police station.

Upon initial investigation it was discovered that the slain bandit was tortured in custody and the body was shifted to Allied Hospital mortuary unit for post-mortem. Consequently, SHO Samanabad Rizwan Shaukit, ASI Riasat Ali Aur and Muharrar Atif have been suspended. Family members of the slain lodged a case of murder against the police officers. DSP Rana Ataur Rehman said that the deceased had a record of robbery and murder cases and had also served seven years in prison.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2024.