Custodial deaths

Police custody places an extraordinary responsibility on the state. Once liberty has been taken away, a detainee's safety becomes a direct responsibility of those holding them. Any death in custody therefore demands credible answers. Amina and Anmol were taken into custody at Lahore's Township police station on August 4 over allegations of theft. Within roughly two hours, both women were dead. Police initially attributed the deaths to cardiac arrest, but the final postmortem reports are still awaited. Meanwhile, a fact-finding report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has exposed contradictions in the official record that cannot be ignored.

Questions have emerged over when the women died, their ages and whether they were alive when taken to hospital. Their family claims that the bodies showed bruises and dried blood. Official records reportedly contain no mention of external injuries. Concerns have also been raised about the absence of female police officers during their detention and the delay in informing the family. Such contradictions are serious enough to undermine confidence in the existing inquiry. More troubling is the reported extent of police involvement in the postmortem, burial and subsequent access to the graves. An institution accused of wrongdoing should not be in a position to control the evidence needed to establish whether that wrongdoing occurred. HRCP has consequently recommended a judicial tribunal headed by a sitting Lahore High Court judge. Given the circumstances, the recommendation deserves serious consideration, but legality alone cannot restore confidence.

Custodial deaths should automatically trigger an independent investigation. CCTV footage must be secured immediately. Medical and custody records should be preserved outside the control of officers implicated in the incident. Families must be informed without delay. Evidence must be protected before an official narrative has an opportunity to harden. Most importantly, police officers must also be held individually accountable when investigations establish wrongdoing.