BAHAWALNAGAR: Scores of people in the Farooqabad locality staged a demonstration against the Bahawalnagar assistant commissioner (AC) on Friday alleging he had a citizen beaten up by goons and later the man was taken to an outhouse where he was again beaten and later handed over to police.

Parents of the victim, Usman Ghani (20), and locals told reporters that he was returning home after offering Taraweeh prayers when a car with tinted windows driven by a woman bumped into his motorcycle and an argument ensued. The woman, a doctor, called the Bahawalnagar AC who came in his official vehicle with a private vehicle carrying six people. They said the men beat Usman in the presence of a crowd and Eagle Squad.

They alleged that Usman was then taken to the house of the doctor’s father Sabir Bhatti where he was again beaten by the doctor’s brothers, some other people and the AC. Some onlookers captured the footage of the incident which went viral online. Protesters said that after beating the man, the doctor and the AC handed over Usman to police for attempt of robbery.

According to a social media post by Qadeer Niaz Langrial, of Minchinabad, at 8:05pm he called police and told them about the incident. He said that in response to his call, Head Constable Sherjeel Ahmed with two constables recovered the man from Model Town and shifted him to the police station.

Video goes viral

AC Munawwar Hussain Magsi, when contacted, told Dawn that the man was part of a very large criminal gang and during an attempted robbery he was caught and tortured by people. He said that at the time of the incident he was on routine patrolling and when he came to know about the incident, he took the man to a safe location to save his life. He said he later handed over the man to police.

B Division SHO Saifullah said the Bahawalnagar DPO had taken action of the incident and SP investigation was inquiring the matter. The family said that Usman’s record was clear and there was not even a single complaint against him on even a petty matter. They said they would challenge the allegations made by the AC in court.

Deputy Commissioner Shoaib Khan Jadoon did not respond to calls and text messages when asked for his version.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2020