VEHARI, Oct 23: A murder case has been registered against a sub-inspector, a constable and four others for torturing a youth to death.

The case, under sections 302, 148, and 149 of the PPC, was ordered by the district police officer following the relatives of the victim, Muhammad Akmal (20), kept vehari-Multan road blocked for over three hours on Tuesday to protest the death by police torture

Reports said Akmal and Ishaq were detained in connection with a property dispute by Garah More check post in charge SI Malik Aslam without registration of any case against them on Monday night.

The victim’s family alleged that the policemen subjected him to severe torture during investigation, resulting in his death. Later, the police hand over the body to the family, claiming he died due to a heart attack.

Relatives of the victim staged a protest demonstration on Tuesday, demanding registration of a murder case against the accused policemen. Later, they dispersed on the assurance of DPO Tassaddaq Husain that the culprits would be brought to book.

The DPO suspended SI Aslam and constable Ejaz, ordering Mitro police to register the case against the accused. However, none of the accused could be arrested so far.

The DPO said a strict action would be taken against the accused if the post-mortem report confirmed the torture as cause of the death.

However, Mailsi DSP Zafar Iqbal Dogar denied torture allegations, saying police arrested Akmal to `resolve’ a land dispute of Chak no 90/WB. He claimed Akmal complained of chest pain during investigation and died before he could be provided medical aid.

DHQ hospital MS Dr Nasir Dilshad said some samples of the deceased’s body had been sent to Lahore for chemical examination to determine the exact death cause. It would take about 15 days to receive the report, he added.