LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has ordered a judicial inquiry into the death of Salahuddin in police custody.

In the related development, Inspector General of Punjab retired Captain Arif Nawaz Khan has removed Rahim Yar Khan DPO Umar Farooq Salamat from the post and made him an officer on special duty. Investigation Superintendent of Police Habibullah Khan was given additional charge of the DPO office.

The judicial inquiry was ordered in the wake of the recent spate of criticism on the Rahim Yar Khan police after Salahuddin Ayubi, caught in an ATM machine break case, was allegedly subjected to torture and killed in the custody.

Rahim Yar Khan police had taken him into custody after some people caught him breaking an ATM installation. The IGP also removed SP Investigation Cantt, Lahore, Mohammad Asim in connection with the death of gardener Mohammad Ali in custody.

He was held negligent in the case with six other police officials of the investigation wing of North Cantt police station who were suspended shortly after the incident came to the limelight on Aug 28.

Ali was detained illegally by sub-inspector Zeshan and four constables in a private cell where they subjected him to severe torture.

They later shifted him to the Services Hospital where he was pronounced dead by the duty doctors.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2019