Relatives protest custody death

The deceased’s brother said he was arrested 11 months ago and died in police custody a week later.


Our Correspondent September 15, 2013
The deceased’s brother said he was arrested 11 months ago and died in police custody a week later. PHOTO: FILE

FAISALABAD:


The family and relatives of a man who died in police custody last year staged a protest demonstration on Saturday against Ghulam Muhammadabad police.


The deceased’s brother, Khalil, told the media that his brother, a resident of Ghausia Abad, was arrested 11 months ago on misappropriation charges and died in police custody a week later.

He said the then Ghulam Muhammadabad SHO Rana Mazharul Haq had gotten Rehman’s physical remand on November 1, 2012. “The police did not allow us to meet him after he was arrested,” he said.

Khalil alleged that the police had been pressing Rehman to confess a crime he had not committed. He said when he refused, police tortured him.

“Rehman died from the injuries…police hid his body to conceal evidence,” he said.

Khalil said when friends and neighbours protested against police for not handing over the body, they arrested 50 of the protestors and registered cases against them.

He alleged that former SHO Rana Mazharul Haq had been threatening him with dire consequences “if we pursue the case.”

The protestors staged at sit-in at Zila Council Chowk and blocked the main road. The protest ended when Kotwali SHO Hafiz Irfan assured the protestors that action would be taken against the culprits in accordance with the law.

Irfan told The Express Tribune that a judicial inquiry was already underway.

Faisalabad District and Session Judge Chaudhry Khaleezuz Zaman on a petition filed by Khalil has summoned the police officials concerned to appear before the court on September 17, 2013.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15th, 2013.

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