ISLAMABAD: The station house officer (SHO) of Karachi Company was suspended and an inquiry ordered into alleged torture on a man in police custody.

The decision was taken on a viral video on social media in which Advocate Imman Zainab Mazari is seen arguing with a policeman for allegedly torturing a man in the police station.

She later lodged a complaint with the senior superintendent (SSP) of police (operations) for registration of a case and taking department action against the SHO.

In her complaint, Advocate Mazari said that on October 7 she visited the G-9 (Karachi Company) police station and witnessed a “series of illegal, unconstitutional and outright criminal activities, including bribery and torture by the SHO and one of his associates in civilian clothes.”

She said she found “the SHO torturing a young man. He was stepping with his boots on the face of the man who was lying down on the floor screaming in pain.” She said after seeing them, the SHO hurriedly came out of the room and locked it.

The SHO was asked to identify the man so she could lodge a complaint with the police authorities. However, he refused to give any details about him and also did not allow her to meet the man in custody, the complaint said.

“Therefore, the SSP is requested to take strict penal, criminal and departmental action against the SHO and his accomplices and register a case against them,” the complaint added.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2022