Abuse of authority: Sub inspector suspended from service

Video shows theft suspect walking with a bent back.

FAISALABAD:

A Bhowana police sub inspector has been suspended from service after a video showing a theft suspect being tortured was aired on the media.

Sub Inspector Ishaq Kamoka was suspended on the orders of Chiniot District Police Officer Shehzed Akbar Khan on Friday.  The DPO also ordered a probe into the incident.

The theft suspect, Umar Sajjad, a resident of Chak 465-JB, has now been sent to the jail on a judicial remand.

The inquiry team was asked to determine whether or not there was an actual theft case.

SI Kamoka is accused of detaining Sajjad at a private cell.

The video shows Sajjad, in handcuffs, walking with his back bent and making sounds similar to those of a dog’s barking.

Sajjad’s relatives said the theft charge against him was false and accused the police of taking a bribe from the complainant to Sajjad at the private torture cell.

Bhowana Station House Officer Muhammad Afzal rejected the bribery allegation. He also expressed ignorance about the video and said there were no private torture cells in the area.

He said action would be taken against any policeman found keeping suspects at a private cell.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2012.