Police Brutality: Report on prisoner’s death sought

Police claims Aashiq Hussain and his 2 sons were nominated in a theft case and declared proclaimed offenders.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Complaint Cell on Thursday took notice of a press report that a robbery suspect died in police custody after being beaten. The cell has directed Faisalabad district and sessions judge to look into the matter and submit a detailed report in a week. According to details, Aashiq Hussain of Farooq Park was arrested by the police two weeks ago. His wife Nadra Parveen told newsmen that her husband died in police custody where he was beaten badly. “Aashiq was not taken to a hospital when his condition deteriorated and he died,” she alleged. Police claimed Aashiq Hussain and his two sons had been nominated in a theft case and were declared proclaimed offenders. “Hussain was arrested but his sons were still at large and he suffered from a stroke. He was taken to hospital where he died,” a police spokesman said. CPO Dr Haider Ashraf said he had already ordered an enquiry as to why the arrest was not entered in the police register. “Strict action will be taken against policemen found guilty,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2014.