ISLAMABAD, Aug 5: Several policemen have been suspended after allegedly parading a man and two women naked in the Gambat town of Khairpur district in Sindh, police officials said on Sunday.

The man, businessman Mumtaz Mallah, 52, told Reuters that police were punishing him for refusing to pay them bribe.

SSP Khairpur Irfan Baloch said all three were part of a prostitution ring and authorities were responding to community pressure by arresting them.

The trio were already naked when police raided Mallah’s home, he said.

“The main arresting police officer’s mistake was that he should have covered them up,” said Mr Baloch. Town residents took video footage of the arrests which shows Mallah trying to put clothes on. Mallah has been released on bail. The two women are still in police custody, according to Mr Baloch.—Reuters

Mansoor Mirani adds from Khairpur: Six police officials, including the SHO of Gambat police station, were booked late on Saturday evening for parading two people naked.

An FIR has been registered against SHO Khair Mohammad, ASIs Ameer Ali, Ghulam Akbar and Rahim Bux and constables Ghulam Raza and Abdul Latif under Sections 220, 354, 500, 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code at Gambat police station.

The police officials are accused of raiding an Autaq in Gambat on July 28 and arresting a man and two women.

According to the FIR, the police officials took the man and women from the Autaq without taking care of one woman’s honour, insulted her and misused their powers.

SSP Irfan Baloch told newsmen on Sunday that an FIR had been lodged against the police officials and further action would be taken after completing the inquiry. He said he had been investigating the matter.

Reports said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had directed the inspector general of police to carry out an inquiry.