Bailiff secures release of confined Bannu DSP

Khan alleges DPO kept him in room for five days

MIRANSHAH:

An unusual and serious incident involving the internal affairs of Bannu Police has come to light, with DSP Headquarters Rehmatullah Khan allegedly being kept confined in a room at Bannu Police Lines for five days before a court-appointed bailiff secured his release.

The matter came to light after Saqib Khan, son of the DSP, approached the court through Advocate Haji Shoaib, alleging that his father had been unlawfully confined. Following a hearing on September 8, the court of Additional Sessions Judge No 2 appointed a bailiff to ascertain the facts.

According to the bailiff's report submitted to the court, he reached Bannu Police Lines in compliance with the court order and found DSP Rehmatullah Khan inside a room, dressed in plain clothes. The DSP reportedly told the bailiff that he had been kept in the room for the previous five days and that his movement had been restricted.

The bailiff also informed the court that he recorded a video of the situation at the site on his mobile phone.

Taking notice of the matter, the court issued notices to the relevant parties and police officials, seeking an explanation regarding the legal authority under which the DSP was allegedly confined and the legal status of his detention.

Talking to The Express Tribune, DSP Rehmatullah Khan alleged that Bannu DPO Captain (retd) Muhammad Furqan Bilal had abducted him and kept him in illegal confinement at the police lines for five days. He claimed that his mobile phone was also taken into custody and that he was not informed of any offence for which he was allegedly being detained.

The DSP said he had also submitted an affidavit stating that he had never been involved in any criminal activity.