December 04, 2006	Monday	Ziqa'ad 12, 1427

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LAHORE, Dec 3: An under-trial prisoner in Kot Lakhpat jail, who appeared lip-stitched before a local court the other day, had done it on his own to malign the jail staff, an official inquiry team found out on Sunday.

The court had ordered a probe after Abdur Razzaq alleged that two jail officials had stitched his lips on his failure to pay them ‘monthly’ bribe.The inquiry team, comprising DIG of Punjab Prisons Salik Jalal and two deputy secretaries, heard the concerned jail staff, the complainant, some other prisoners and a medical officer who examined the complainant during a six-hour session.

Razzaq confessed before the probe team that he had stitched his lips in the prison van on way to court, said a report by the inquiry team.

He did it only to blackmail the prison officials after his failure to secure a cell of his choice, it said, adding that he also wanted other facilities, which he was not entitled to.

Other evidences, statement of witnesses and the medical examination supported the findings, it said.According to the report, another inmate, Lala Amir, stitched his lips on board the van. Two prisoners also tried to convince another inmate, Riaz Husain, to have his lips stitched. On his refusal, they forcibly shaved off his head and eyebrows.

In the past as well, Razzaq had committed violation of the jail manual, it said, adding that in May, some prison officials seized a cellphone from him, and as punishment, he was kept in a special cell.