Mardan killing: Accused police officials appear before court

Second autopsy report claims the boy died by suicide, not police torture.

SHERGARH:

Inquiry into the death of student Akhtar Ali, who was found dead in police custody in the Shergarh area of Mardan, began on Saturday.

Suspended SHO Fazal Akbar and Sub inspector Muhammad Arif were produced before Civil Judge Ijazul Haq to record their statements. Both men are accused of torturing the 15-year-old to death.

Dozens of people, including relatives of the deceased were present in court and held placards inscribed with slogans against the police for killing an innocent boy.

The civil judge asked for witnesses, including doctors, before the court on Monday. The announcement was made from loudspeakers in the mosque during Friday prayers.

Dr Aurangzeb, Dr Noor Islam and Dr Saifur Rahman, who had performed the second autopsy on Ali’s body, were summoned by the court to record their statements.

Ali’s family members have presented 15 names of witnesses to give their account on the next hearing. After providing the statements, the report will be sent to Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan.

Meanwhile, the second autopsy report issued by the doctors stated that Akhtar Ali died after hanging himself. However, family members have refused to accept this and insist that police tortured killed him.

A relative of the deceased, who wishes to remain discreet, said that the second autopsy report was issued  under police pressure.

The first autopsy report which stated that Ali died of a noose around his neck, was also rejected by the relatives. After the report, DCO Mardan Zakaullah issued orders to perform another autopsy on the body.

Akhtar Ali, a resident of Chandani Chowk Shergarh, was arrested after an FIR was filed against him and his friend for a robbery on August 21. The FIR stated that they stole gold, two cell phones, one pistol and Rs22,000 in cash from a neighbour Abdullah Shah.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2012.