RAHIM YAR KHAN: A youth, complainant in a sexual harassment case, was allegedly tortured and later shot dead by a Muhafiz Squad constable at the B Division police station here on Friday night.

According to the family of the victim, the deceased, Bilal Qureshi (22), was sexually harassed by a shopkeeper and he had called police helpline 15 to report the matter.

Later a case was registered against the accused shopkeeper with the B Division police.

They said during the investigation of the case, Bilal had exchanged harsh words with Muhafiz Squad Constable Javed Chohan, who harboured grudge against him.

On Friday, they said, Bilal was called to B-division police station on the pretext of returning him his mobile phone that was with the investigation officer.

DPO suspends three policemen over ‘negligence’

They alleged that Bilal was first subjected to torture at the police station and later constable Javed Chohan shot him dead.

The victim’s family said they were informed by the police on Friday night that Bilal had been injured accidentally when a gun went off during its cleaning by Constable Chohan and was shifted to the Sheikh Zayed Medical College Hospita (SZMCH). The family said when they reached the hospital they were told Bilal had expired.

The family alleged that they approached City Circle Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Aslam Khan with the complaint, demanding arrest of Chohan, who had escaped from the police station, but the officer took no action against his subordinate.

The victims family said they had refused to receive the body in protest, but a local politician intervened and convinced them to bury the deceased.

According to police spokesperson Saif Ali Wains, Bilal was injured “accidentally” when a bullet hit his left shoulder. He said the police immediately shifted the injured to SZMCH where he succumbed to his injury.

Taking notice of the incident, District Police Officer (DPO) Akhtar Farooq reached SZMCH and met with the victim’s family. Later, the DPO suspended three policemen -- the investigation officer of the case, the Muharar and another policeman of B Division police station over misconduct, showing irresponsibility and negligence, Wains said.

He said the DPO had appointed investigation SP Dost Muhammad as inquiry officer to probe the matter.

On Saturday, the police claimed the suspect had been arrested and put in the lock-up for interrogation.

DSP Aslam Khan refused to talk to reporters on the issue.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2022