SWABI, March 12: Six policemen were arrested in a Chota Lahor courtroom on Monday after judicial magistrate Naseem Khan rejected their request for bail in a torture-cum-death case.

The bail was denied in light of the autopsy report that showed Atlas Khan, a Manki villager, was tortured to death. The accused included sub-inspector Farooq Zaman and policemen Khursheed Khan, Ahmad Ali Khan, Abdur Rahim, Naveed Khan and Sajid Khan.

The October 2011 death triggered violent protests in the area prompting then district police officer Ijaz Khan to suspend all staff of Sherabad police checkpost and ordered an inquiry.

Villagers said Mr Atlas and his son, Hukam Khan, were arrested and tortured by Sherabad police on suspension in a theft case.

They said the two were later freed at the intervention of former councilor Shamim Khan but Mr Atlas succumbed to serious injuries caused by torture in police custody.- Correspondent