Another case of alleged police brutality surfaces

Citizen accuses RA Bazaar cops of torture, blackmail and extortion over minor case

RAWALPINDI:

Another serious case of alleged police misconduct against a citizen has come to light in Rawalpindi. The complainant has accused the SHO, sub-inspector, and other officials of RA Bazaar Police Station of torturing him at the police station, blackmailing him and extorting money while falsely implicating him in a minor case.

According to the complaint, the citizen was allegedly forced to raise his hands while a rod was inserted between them causing pain.

The complainant, Sharoon Mehmood, a member of the Christian community, stated in his application to the RPO and in a video that went public, that while he was sitting at a friend's clothing store in Tench Bhatta, Sub-Inspector Sohail Bhatti and four police officials forcibly took him to a room on the upper floor of the police station. He alleged that the SHO and the police team tortured him, binding his arms with a rod and threatened him to stay quiet while the SHO's "guests" were present.

Sharoon claimed he lost consciousness during the ordeal and was revived with water. He alleged that three packets of hashish were placed on a table and photographs were taken, which were then used to allegedly blackmail him for Rs500,000. He reportedly managed to transfer Rs50,000 to the sub-inspector and partially paid the remaining amount, while arranging for the rest. Despite the payments, a case was still registered against him, but the court granted bail after reviewing the permit. The victim's video statement has also been released publicly.