KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Friday directed the city police chief and other senior police officers to file their respective replies on a constitutional petition against ‘extrajudicial murder’ of an undertrial accused in police custody.

The petition was filed by the family of Aslam Hussain, who was allegedly tortured to death by police officials of the Saudabad police station.

Headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpotto, a two-judge bench also issued notice to the provincial government law officer and put off the hearing to Feb 21.

The petitioner’s counsel told the judges that Aslam was subjected to severe torture by the police personnel.

He alleged that police personnel Basharat, Shahrukh and Rashid Khan had beaten Aslam to death in the torture cell.

The counsel submitted that the victim was an undertrial accused and was not found involved in any criminal activity. The counsel added that Aslam was beaten up so badly that he could not survive.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2018