Conflicting claims: Political worker remanded to police custody

The suspect claims to have been subjected to severe torture by the interrogators

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) remanded a suspect belonging to a political party, ordering the police to first get the suspect examined as he claimed to have been subjected to 'severe torture' by the interrogators.

The suspect, Arif alias Anda, was produced before the ATC-II by the Baldia Town police in cases of attempted murder and assaulting law enforcement personnel. The police contended that the suspect was arrested on January 30 after an encounter. A Kalashnikov and hand grenade were seized from his possession. The suspect was also involved in the murders of police officials, they claimed.

On the other hand, the defence counsel told the court that Arif was picked up by the Rangers from his house in Baldia Town in mid-January. He was kept at an undisclosed place and subjected to torture, said the counsel. The suspect was also electrocuted, he claimed, and later handed over to the police.

After listening to both the sides, the judge approved the plea of the police, granting the suspect's physical remand till February 12. He also ordered the investigation officer to get the suspect medically examined and provide him treatment.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2rd, 2015.