ASI booked for harassment, bribery

PATTOKI:

An assistant sub-inspector has been detained and a case registered against him on charges of misuse of authority, bribery, and harassment of a woman.

The action was taken following initial investigations into a complaint.

According to the complainant, Alishbah, her mother had lodged a case at the Pattoki City Police Station a few weeks ago, claiming that she had been abducted. The complainant stated that she had not been abducted but had married Muhammad Kashif. Her mother later filed a petition under Section 491 of the CrPC, seeking her recovery.

During the investigation, ASI Liaqat summoned Alishbah and her husband to the police station. He asked the husband to leave, assuring him that the police would present his wife in court. Once alone with her, the ASI allegedly subjected her to verbal abuse, physical assault and threats, the complainant alleged, adding that he had harassed her and extorted Rs50,000 from her.

Kasur DPO Muhammad Essa Khan initiated an inquiry into the matter. During the investigation, the ASI failed to provide a satisfactory explanation in response to the allegations. The probe confirmed that the ASI had acted unlawfully by interrogating the woman in a room without the presence of a female constable, abusing and threatening her, and forcibly taking money, thereby misusing his official powers.

Following the confirmation of the allegations, ASI Liaqat was charged and detained.