TAXILA, Sept 25: The Hassanabdal police are alleged to have subjected an accused to severe torture and inhumane treatment during investigation of a theft case, the sources said on Sunday.

According to sources, Mohammad Ibraheem, resident of Burhan village was picked up by the police for his alleged involvement in a theft case at the godown of a construction company. His brother Mohammad Sajid, a rickshaw driver, said he came to the police station to meet his brother but the police also put him behind the bars. He said at midnight five policemen including two officials of the elite force and a moharar took his brother from the lock up, dragged him to the SHO's room where his hand and legs were tightened with a rope and subjected him to severe torture. He said later SHO Mohammad Aslam put red chilies in his nose to extract confession from him.

As they failed to fulfill their designs, they threw him in the lockup. He said the next day when his relatives came to see him, they raised concern over the torture. At this, the police officials shifted him to the THQ hospital where he was given treatment. He said his brother also approached the local court which ordered the police to get his medical examination done to ascertain the facts.

When contacted ASI Mazhar Hussain said the accused fell down in the lockup and received injuries. He said he was immediately taken to the THQ hospital for treatment. He said he was not aware of any torture to the accused.— Correspondent