The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Sargodha has registered a case against multiple police officers, including former SHO of Piplan police station, Malik Fayaz, and three others, for allegedly torturing women, violating the sanctity of their home, and abusing their authority.
The complaint, filed by Khalid Iftikhar Awan, a resident of Chak 12 ML, alleged that on August 11, 2024, Malik Fayaz, along with Farhan Khan (T/ASI), Sajid Khan (SI), and Saifullah (ASI), unlawfully raided his residence.
During the raid, they arrested women from the household, subjected them to severe physical abuse, and transported them to the police station, where further mistreatment occurred.
The incident stems from an earlier FIR filed by Assistant Food Safety Officer Aneela Shamshad against Irfanul Haq, a bakery owner in Piplan.
The bakery is located near the police station and the owner reportedly had close ties with the police officers.
Allegedly, Haq provided accommodations and other perks to the officers, fostering a close relationship.
According to Aneela, Haq threatened her after she conducted a raid on his bakery and factory, refusing to withdraw the FIR she filed against him for food safety violations.
Haq reportedly vowed to "destroy her home" in retaliation. Following this, an altercation involving Aneela's cousin, Dilshad Ahmed, was allegedly used as a pretext for the raid on their home.
Witnesses reported that police officers were seen inquiring about the residence of "the food officer" days before the raid.
During the raid, which took place on a Sunday, women in the household were reportedly assaulted, had their clothes torn, and were subjected to inhumane treatment.
Aneela Shamshad and another woman, Ghazala Majid, were arrested and taken to the police station, where Haq was allegedly present and observed the abuse with apparent approval from the SHO.
A subsequent investigation by the FIA's Joint Investigation Team (JIT) confirmed the abuse, with medical reports corroborating the allegations of physical assault.
The case was filed under various serious charges, including Sections 354A, 155C and 156, as per the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022.
The FIA has formally charged the accused officers, including Malik Fayaz, now posted at City Police Station, Mianwali and the other Piplan police officers.
Khalid Iftikhar Awan lauded the FIA and other investigative agencies for their thorough and merit-based investigation, which led to the registration of Punjab's first FIR under the 2022 anti-torture law.
Speaking to the media, Khalid demanded that the accused officers be dismissed from service and face strict punishment.
Sargodha Regional Police Officer (RPO) Shahzad Asif Khan confirmed the investigation and assured that appropriate legal action would be taken against those found guilty.
"This matter is under my direct notice and I have instructed our officers to conduct a transparent inquiry. Once the case reaches my office, I will ensure the strictest legal action is taken," RPO Khan stated.
Earlier on November 20, the Punjab Assembly's Committee on Law Reforms and Delegated Legislation has directed the government to establish a Provincial Public Safety and Complaints Commission within two weeks for accountability of the police.
The committee headed by Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan was assured by the government about the introduction of an amendment to the Police Order, 2002, to address procedural hurdles delaying the formation of District Public Safety and Complaints Commissions in the absence of representatives of local governments.
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