Karachi Central Jail official booked in torture, illegal detention case

Prisons IG removes accused from his post after FIR lodged over abuse of power, threats and extortion allegations

KARACHI:

An assistant superintendent at the Karachi Central Jail has been accused of torturing innocent people and illegally detaining them, allegedly under the influence of drugs. Following the revelation, an FIR has been registered against Assistant Superintendent Ihsan Mehar at the New Town police station on the complaint of one of the victims, identified as Muhammad Faraz Jilani.

According to the complainant, he, along with his friends—Syed Hassan, Bassam Qadir, Mohsin Hussain, and Ibad Rashid—had gone to the Central Jail Colony to see a relative. He alleged that Assistant Superintendent Mehar, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, began verbally abusing them.

The situation escalated when Mehar reportedly called for the jail’s mobile unit and physically shoved the group. The accused then allegedly abducted them, forcing them into a jail room where they were subjected to physical torture by unidentified people.

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The complainant claimed that their mobile phones were taken, and Rs40,000 he had in cash was also snatched. He further claimed that they were threatened with false charges of drug possession and carrying weapons, while being coerced into making confessions that they were drug users. Under duress, they were also allegedly forced to sign an apology letter, with their fingerprints affixed to it.

The New Town police have registered a case on charges of illegal detention, physical assault, threats to kill, and other relevant sections of the law. While the mobile phones were eventually returned to the victims, the Rs40,000 in cash remains unaccounted for.

Taking action, Prisons IG Fida Hussain Mastoi has removed Mehar from his position as assistant superintendent of Central Jail. A formal notification regarding his dismissal has been issued by the IG’s office. He assured that the matter will be thoroughly investigated.