Mystery deepens over custodial deaths

Post-mortems completed as initial report cites cardiac arrest

LAHORE:

The mystery surrounding the deaths of two women in police custody at Township police station deepened on Friday after post-mortem examinations were completed two days after the incident, with an initial medical report stating that both women died following cardiac arrest.

The women, who were in the custody of the investigation wing when they died under unexplained circumstances, have triggered growing concerns over the events leading up to their deaths.

A medical board at Mian Munshi Hospital conducted the autopsies. However, doctors have yet to determine the final cause of death.

Police sources said biological samples collected during the post-mortem examinations had been sent to a forensic laboratory for detailed analysis. Officials said the exact cause and circumstances of the deaths would only be established after the forensic report is received.

According to the preliminary medical findings, both women suffered cardiac arrest. However, investigators acknowledged that the fact both women died within a short span of time has raised further questions about the circumstances in which they died while in custody.

Several key questions remain unanswered, including when the women's health began to deteriorate, what their condition was before they were shifted to hospital, and whether they received timely medical attention. Police officials said the ongoing investigation, along with the forensic findings, would determine the sequence of events and establish the circumstances surrounding the custodial deaths.