Elderly man alleges police assault

Victim claims he was dragged into police van, maltreated at police station

RAWALPINDI:

Police personnel from Rawalpindi's City Police Station allegedly subjected an elderly labourer to violence and continued to mistreat him after bringing him to the station.

Upon securing his release, the bearded elderly worker presented himself at the Rawalpindi CPO's open court and submitted an application seeking action and the registration of a case against the sub-inspector and the officers involved.

According to the application filed in the CPO's open court, Abdul Rasheed, a resident of Boring Road, stated that he is an elderly man who earns his livelihood by selling second-hand sweaters and jumpers in the Bara Market of Raja Bazaar, carrying his merchandise on his shoulder as he walks around. When fatigued, he rests his goods on a motorcycle for support.

He recounted that on November 23, between approximately 12:30pm and 1:30pm, a mobile van from the City Police Station arrived, carrying a Sub-Inspector and other police personnel. They ordered him to remove his goods. He explained that he had placed only a few second-hand clothes and sweaters on the motorcycle, the entire market was in full operation, and that such matters fell under the jurisdiction of the TMA, not the police.

He stated that the officers — whom he can identify if required — retorted that he was behaving as though he were the market's proprietor. One officer began abusing him verbally, ordering him to collect his goods and run.