Motorbike 'thief' found dead in lock-up

Probe ordered into detainee's death amid claims of suicide

SHAKARGARH:

A man nominated in several cases of motorcycle theft was found dead in the lock-up of Shah Gharib police station under mysterious circumstances, prompting Narowal District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Naveed Malik, to order an inquiry into the incident.

The deceased, identified as Farooq Shah, a resident of Kadiala, had been detained on charges of motorcycle theft.

Police said Farooq had confessed to stealing 11 motorcycles during the investigation.

Authorities had already recovered four stolen motorcycles from his possession, with efforts underway to recover the remaining seven.

The incident came to light during the Fajr prayer when an officer checked the lock-up and discovered Farooq Shah with a noose around his neck.

The police suspect that the accused committed suicide by hanging himself in the cell. However, the circumstances surrounding his death have raised concerns, leading the DPO to call for a thorough judicial inquiry.

A team from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) has been summoned to the scene to assist with the investigation.

The DPO stated that the accused had over 26 cases of motorcycle theft registered against him at the Zafarwal, Shakargarh and Shah Gharib police stations.

He further mentioned that the details would become clear after the post-mortem report.

Police said the accused committed suicide and due to human rights considerations, no cameras were installed in the restroom.

The criminal record of the accused who committed suicide has been shared with the media. A Special Judicial Magistrate is also conducting an inquiry into the matter.

The DPO has assured that the judicial inquiry will be conducted transparently to uncover the truth behind Farooq Shah's death in custody.

Earlier, in August a 35-year-old man died allegedly due to torture in the custody of Kot Sabzal police in Rahim Yar Khan.

According to the FIR, Assistant Sub Inspector Nisar Ahmed and three other personnel had picked up Shah Nawaz Ahmed on the suspicion of stealing a mobile phone.

After the arrest, the family of Shah Nawaz tried to contact him but were unable to do so.

After the intervention of an influential individual, the police agreed to allow the family to see the suspect in the evening.

However, when the family arrived at the police station, they were told that the man was not in custody.

Later in the night, the family received information that Shah Nawaz had been brutally tortured by the police, resulting in his death.

In April, a man, under trial in a case of theft, died in police custody purportedly due to torture inflicted by the SHO of the City Police Station, and other police personnel in Daska.

On the order of the court, a case was filed against six police officers, including the SHO, in connection with the youth's demise during an investigation. However, the authorities dismissed the case the same day, prompting outcry from the victim's family and the community.

Three months ago, SHO Akram Shehbaz and officers Irfan Cheema and others conducted a raid on the residence of Hameed, a resident of Chongi 8 in Daska.

The raid was aimed at apprehending Muhammad Hameed's son, Usman. The police demanded Usman's surrender, threatening to detain his family if he was not produced.

Hameed informed the police that Usman was at work and would be brought to the police station in the evening.

Later that day, Hameed, along with Usman and Owais, visited the City Police Station. However, SHO Akram Shehbaz allegedly detained Usman without formal arrest.

On March 26 Muhammad Hameed received news from the police that Usman had died during questioning, with his body lying at the Civil Hospital Sialkot. While police attributed Usman's death to an epileptic seizure, the victim's family vehemently refutes this, alleging that Usman was killed through torture.