LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court has sought an explanation from the Kot Lakhpat jail superintendent regarding alleged physical torture on a Christian prisoner facing trial for vandalism and damaging public property following the 2015 suicide attacks on churches in Youhannabad.

A medical examination report submitted before the court revealed marks of torture on the body of Vikram Masih.

Masih told the court that he was hung upside down before other prisoners in the jail’s lockup for several hours. He claimed that the jail doctor did not perform a complete check up of his injuries. The Lahore High Court granted bail to Masih four years ago, however, he could not come out of the jail for not furnishing two surety bonds of Rs100,000 each.

The lawyer asked the court to order a complete inquiry and registration of cases against the jail staff involved in the torture.

The judge asked the jail superintendent to submit an explanation about the torture incident and also conduct an inquiry in another matter of non-provision of adequate medical facility to Chand Hameed, facing trial in lynching of two Muslim people outside the Youhannabad. Jail’s deputy superintendent appeared and sought time to submit the required reports.

The court adjourned hearing for a week.

Two Christians facing trial for lynching have already died in jail due to denial of proper medical treatment.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2019