LAHORE: A 22-year-old youth, accused of burning a copy of the Holy Quran, died in police custody at Warburton police station on Sunday, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The youth, Nadeem, was detained without an FIR by the Nankana Sahib police seven days ago. Police say he was being kept in protective custody. He was later shifted to Warburton police station, 20km for Nankana Sahib.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Nankana Sahib district police officer (DPO) Ghulam Mubashar Maken said the youth fell severely ill while in custody at Warburton police station and subsequently died.
He said allegations against Nadeem had not been substantiated so far. He added that they were informed by a local committee of Ulema that there was no proof so far to suggest the youth had burned the Holy Quran copy. Since they had been waiting for the committee’s final decision, no case was registered against the youth, DPO Maken said.
Meanwhile, police have handed over Nadeem’s body to his heirs and initiated proceedings under section 174.
DPO Maken said Nadeem’s father Yousaf had told the police that his son was mentally unstable. He added that even after his son’s death, Yousaf was unwilling to take legal action.
Police officials also suggested that Nadeem was tortured by local resident when they allegedly discovered him burning a copy of the Holy Quran. They also suspect he may have been an addict.
Christian woman Asia Bibi, who was sentenced to death in 2010 on blasphemy charges, also belongs to Nankana Sahib.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2012.
Correction: An earlier version of the story incorrectly termed Nadeem a 'Christian'. The error is regretted.
COMMENTS (13)
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The real crime is that nothing will be done to eliminate the outrageous Blasphemy laws nor pursue the police who likely murdered this youth.
"Since they had been waiting for the committee’s final decision, no case was registered against the youth, DPO Maken said". Oh My God. No case was registered and still he was being detained. If we forget blasphemy laws for a few minutes, the unlawful holding of the person was gross violation of human rights. But then again this is Pakistani Police and law we are talking about where we let go the influential even after murders but hold the weak accountable based on hearsay.
there are no blasphemy, they are killing these innocents just because they are nonmuslims and non sunnis.
@Khalid Pathan: The constitution of Pakistan makes it very difficult to protect the rights of the minorities. All decent minded Pakistanis must fight aginst such man made laws. Blashphemy law is nothing but garbage and allws murder of innocent people!
Extra Judicial killing are condemnable, only courts can take decisions but when the courts go ineffective every one try to take law into their own hands, in which innocents are killed. BUT I COUNDN''T UNDERSTAND WHY EVERY BLASPHEMOUS IS MENTALLY RETARDED ?? our law of evidence and loop hopes in laws added with corruption, no criminal can be executed only poor are the victim and rich goes untouched.
@R2D2: what a country founded by what a people for what a people….
Just the right country, founded by just the right people, for just the right people...
What a relief for us Indians !
what a country founded by what a people for what a people....
Like Hindus leaving Pakistan for India, Christians should leave for US and Europe and in return they should not allow immigration of Muslims from Pakistan. They can sweat it out in their own melting pot in Pakistan.
"DPO Maken said Nadeem’s father Yousaf had told the police that his son was mentally unstable. He added that even after his son’s death, Yousaf was unwilling to take legal action."
Now that's cold. Whether they'd succeed or fail, I can't imagine most parents could just shrug it off like that.
Another extra judicial killing, this time in police custody. Looks like there is just no protection for religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan.
Nothing mysterious about it. Had the accused come out prison without any charges, it would have bee mysterious in Pakistan.