Illegal detention: Court orders criminal case against cop

Lance head constable accused of unwarranted custodial torture.

HARIPUR: Additional Sessions Judge Riaz Khan has ordered the registration of a criminal case against a police official accused of custodial torture through illegal detention.

Rukhsar Shah, 23, submitted an application with the acting district and sessions judge on February 19, accusing Hattar police of implicating him in a fake weapon possession case following a raid conducted on his house a few days ago. He added although he had secured bail before arrest.

According to Rukhsar, head constable Asad Saeed locked him up in a room, disrobed him and beat him up ruthlessly. The alleged torture that lasted for hours left Rukhsar bleeding profusely, with a finger fractured and an arm swollen.

Following intervention from local elders and legal assistance from Human Development Organisation’s (HDO) lawyer Advocate Shahid Shah, Rukhsar was released the very next morning, following which he pleaded his case with the Haripur district and sessions judge.

Judge Riaz Khan ordered Hattar SHO to register a criminal case against Saeed. Meanwhile, Hattar police said the case will be filed after consultation with the prosecution branch.

HDO senior psychotherapist Sara Khan said the victim was not only subject to the most gruesome physical abuse, but also disrobed and intimidated, which resulted in psychological regression. She said her organisation is pursuing Rukhsar’s case and has offered medical and legal assistance to him. She urged bigwigs of the police department to take note of such cases and ensure that the police protect the civil rights of the helpless and not violate them.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2015.