LAHORE: A suspected robber was found dead in police custody here on Wednesday.

The Township police had arrested Yasir of Samundari in a robbery/theft case a day earlier and kept him at [police] lock-up for investigation.

Hassan alleged that police subjected his brother Yasir to severe torture and he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday at police station.

Talking to media persons, he alleged that he brought the matter to the knowledge of Saddar Division SP (Operations) Rizwan Gondal for an impartial inquiry into what he claimed murder of his brother in police custody.

He said the SP allegedly misbehaved with him for informing the media about the incident.

When contacted, Township SHO Atif Zulfiqar denied the allegation of torture, saying Yasir was a ‘habitual offender’ and wanted [to police] in 10 cases of robbery and theft.

He said Yasir was an addict and he would get drug injection almost daily.

The SHO claimed that Yasir died of natural causes and the family was aware of the fact.

Operations DIG Dr Haider Ashraf said according to initial reports Yasir died of excessive dose [of drug].

However, he said, an inquiry committee was formed under the supervision of the SSP (Operations).

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2017