NAROWAL: A 65-year-old man, Haji Faryad Hussain, allegedly died due to police torture while in the custody of Sialkot Saddar police.

The deceased, a property dealer, had been in custody for 18 days over a monetary dispute.

Azhar Abbas, brother-in-law of the deceased and resident of Sahuwala village, filed an application alleging severe misconduct by the police.

He said that on the night of Dec 2, eight to 10 police officials, accompanied by Zulfikar Ali Ghaman, raided Faryad’s house and arrested him on Ghaman’s instructions.

The next morning, Azhar and other relatives visited Sialkot Sadar police to inquire about the arrest.

According to Abbas, Station House Officer (SHO) Akram Shehbaz rudely dismissed them and demanded a bribe of Rs4 million for Hussain’s release.

The FIR states that the arrest is linked to a property dispute in which Faryad had sold a plot but faced delays in obtaining its registry.

Hussain had filed a case in court to resolve the matter. However, the police allegedly detained him illegally and subjected him to physical and mental torture, including forcing him to stand in freezing conditions at night.

On Dec 8, police reportedly raided Hussain’s house again and confiscated his checkbook. Despite repeated pleas from his family, the police refused to release him, insisting on the payment of the demanded bribe.

Azhar said the family approached District Police Officer (DPO) Rana Umar Farooq with court records and medical reports, seeking intervention.

However, he alleged that the DPO dismissed their concerns and referred them to the SP investigation, who also failed to address the issue.

The family claims that the torture continued unabated. On the night of Dec 19, police informed the family that Faryad had died.

They further alleged that the police attempted to coerce them into signing a statement declaring that the death was due to a heart attack.

Following public outrage and protests by the victim’s family and local residents, an FIR was registered against SHO Akram Shehbaz, Zulfikar Ghaman and Rafaqat Hussain under sections 302, 34, and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

DPO Farooq suspended SHO Akram and issued a charge sheet against him.

A police press release stated that a murder investigation is underway.

The deceased’s family has demanded immediate action from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar.

They called for the suspension of all officials involved, including the DPO, and strict legal action for illegal detention and custodial death.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2024