KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar has ordered in inquiry into the death of a robbery suspect in police custody on Thursday, two days after he was given in custody of the Darakhshan police.

The suspect, Ali Gohar, was nominated in an FIR (No. 527/2024) registered at the Darakhshan police station after a house robbery in the Defence Housing Authority. He had evaded arrest after registration of the case. Two days back, he was arrested by Matiari police and handed over to the Darakhshan police.

The deceased suspect’s heirs accused the police of having tortured him to death in their custody.

While Ali Gohar was on physical remand, his condition deteriorated in the lock-up on Thursday and he was being taken to the JPMC by an ambulance but he died on the way.

Taking notice of the alleged custodial death, Home Minister Lanjar promptly ordered an inquiry to ascertain the circumstances leading to his death.

The minister has directed South-SSP (Investigation) to submit details of the case. He warned that no leniency would be shown to any officer who would be found abusing his powers.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2025