Man allegedly killed in police custody

Body found abandoned in fields

FORT ABBAS:

A man from Tehsil Fort Abbas in Bahawalnagar district allegedly died due to torture at Maroot police station.

Relatives of the deceased alleged that a sub-inspector of the police station had detained him and demanded Rs200,000 for his release. When the money was not paid, the police resorted to torturing the man, resulting in his death they alleged.

The body was left in nearby fields.

The heirs of the deceased protested the by blocking the Bahawalpur Road for five hours, prompting DPO Naseebullah Khan to arrive at the scene and assure them of justice.

A case was registered against the police personnel suspected of being involved in the death and they were taken into custody.

The case was lodged at the Maroot police station by Muhammad Yousuf Ali, a resident of Chak 303HR, who alleged that his brother Sarfaraz had been arrested by Sub-Inspector Muhammad Shahbaz and two unknown individuals for drinking.

The complainant alleged that Sarfaraz was subjected to torture during detention. He alleged that police officials had demanded Rs200,000 from the family for releasing the detained man. When the bribe was not paid, the violence intensified, resulting in Sarfaraz falling unconscious.

Policemen allegedly took Sarfaraz to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The police then left the body in nearby fields, the brother of the deceased alleged.

The incident came to light when residents discovered the body and raised alarm.

The 47-year-old victim was a resident of Chak 303HR.

According to the family members, when they visited the police station with food for the victim, Sub-Inspector Shahbaz claimed that Sarfaraz had been released the previous night.

Bahawalnagar DPO Naseebullah Khan visited the Maroot police station and said the case would be investigated on merit.