MUZAFFARGARH: The Layyah police on Saturday registered a case against six police officials of Chiniot and three private people on the complaint of a local lawyer who alleged that he was kidnapped and subjected to severe torture at Chowk Azam area.

Reports said the Chiniot police accompanied by local police raided the house of Mohammed Aziz but Advocate Aslam Muna intervened. The police alleged the lawyer snatched police vehicle keys. The lawyer on the other hand alleged that police kidnapped and tortured him. On his call, the legal fraternity staged protests, demanding immediate action from DPO Asadur Rahman to address the allegations against the Chowk Azam station house officer.

Layyah district bar president Sheikh Mehtab Elahi and general secretary Ashfaq Thind condemned the incident.

The lawyers’ outcry prompted the district and session judge of Layyah to intervene, summoning the DPO to his office. Subsequently, a case was registered against six identified police officials and three unidentified individuals at Chowk Azam police station under various sections, including 341, 506ii, 365, 511, 148 and 149.

According to the FIR, Advocate Aslam Munna said the Chiniot police attempted to abduct him, accusing him of involvement in cases. He claimed that he was tortured, threatened with death, and assaulted with firearms.

ASI Nasrullah along with his team from Chiniot police station, rushed to Layyah to arrest Advocate Aslam.

On the other hand, police rejected allegations levelled against Chowk Azam police team.

The Chiniot police had conducted an operation in Ward No. 3 to arrest a robbery suspect.

Advocate Aslam Munna reportedly seized the government car key from the police. Resultantly, Chowk Azam police registered a case against Advocate Aslam Munna, along with three others, under sections 353, 225, 186, and 341 of Pakistan Penal Code for allegedly obstructing the police during their lawful duties.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2024