Elderly complainant dies at police station

A 70-year-old man died after suffering a heart attack at Ghulam Muhammad Abad police station, where he had gone in connection with a complaint involving the alleged harassment of his 10-year-old granddaughter.

His family accused a police officer of mistreating him, prompting a hours-long protest outside the police station.

According to police and the victim's family, Zulfiqar, a resident of Rasool Nagar, had accompanied his daughter, Sana Gulshan, to an open public hearing held by the Regional Police Officer (RPO) to seek action against suspects accused of harassing his 10-year-old granddaughter.

The RPO referred the complaint to Ghulam Muhammad Abad police station for further action.

The family alleged that when Zulfiqar appeared before the investigating officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Raza Abbas, the officer behaved in an insulting and inappropriate manner towards him, his daughter and the child.

They further alleged that the officer was attempting to pressure the family in collusion with the accused.

The family claimed that the alleged treatment caused Zulfiqar severe emotional distress, leading to a heart attack inside the police station. He was shifted to Ghulam Muhammad Abad General Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Following the incident, relatives placed the deceased's body outside the police station and staged a protest that continued for several hours.

Protesters chanted slogans against the police and demanded legal and departmental action against the investigating officer, alleging that his conduct contributed to Zulfiqar's death.

Police officials, including SHO Ghulam Muhammad Abad Yousaf Shehzad, reached the scene to negotiate with the protesters.

According to police, the suspect accused of harassing the minor girl was taken into custody and a case was registered.