LAHORE, April 12: A youth who had been detained by Chuhng police in connection with some petty crime since April 9, died soon after he was handed over to his brother in a `semi-conscious’ state on Thursday morning.

The 25-year-old torture victim, Munir Ahmed, a resident of Hyderi Colony, had served a six-month jail term recently for possessing illegal arms.

However, his heirs and relatives claimed that since his return from jail Munir had started working as a labourer and left his old ways.

Following a violent protest by the heirs and relatives of the victim, who were also joined by some Hyderi Colony residents, the police registered a murder case against five personnel on the complaint of Nazar Abbas, the brother of Munir.

An official at the Chuhng police station, requesting anonymity, confirmed torture of Munir by ASI Nadeem Abbas, saying he had been in custody since April 9.

Jehangir, a cousin of Munir, told this reporter that he along with the deceased, was sleeping on the rooftop of Munir’s house when four constables led by ASI Nadeem climbed up on the roof at about 7am on April 8.

“The ASI told Munir to go to the police station for interrogation, and when we inquired about the charge Nadeem pushed Munir who fell from the roof and received foot injury,” he claimed.

“Later, they took us to the police station. However, I was released soon as I gave Rs1,000 to ASIs Nadeem and Mian Ghulam Sabir,” Jehangir alleged, adding that Nadeem was detained for interrogation.

Nazar Abbas, brother of Munir, and complainant in the case, told Dawn that Chuhng police summoned him at 7:30am on Thursday at the police station and handed him over his semi-conscious brother.

“Take your brother and tell him not to indulge in criminal activities,” Nazar quoted ASI Nadeem Abbass as saying. “Then four personnel put Munir on a donkey-cart and told me to take him home. Munir died some distance away from the police station,” Nazar said.

“The police have used `roller’ on my belly, and I am feeling pain in my legs and feet,” Munir quoted the last words of his brother.

Both Nazar and Munir’s father-in-law Faqir Hussain claimed they had seen bruises on Munir’s belly and legs.

Nazar said although his brother had been involved in petty crime in the past, and served a six-month term, but he had left criminal activities and started working as a labourer.

Saddar division SP Nizam Shahid Durrani said Munir was an addict who was brought to the police station for interrogation in connection with some cases pertaining to manhole cover thefts when two of his alleged accomplices gave a ‘clue’ to police, but he died after being handed over to his brother.

He said when the police tried to nab Munir from the rooftop of his house, the accused tried to escape but fell from the roof.