LAHORE, March 25: The autopsy of an alleged motorcycle thief, who died in CIA police custody on Saturday, could not take place on Sunday.

The family alleged that Kotwali CIA police picked Abid Shahbaz of Baja Lines Garhi Shahu on Friday and subjected him to sever torture.

However, police said it was premature to establish the cause of death and only autopsy report would reveal the factor.

A Kotwali CIA police official said Sub-Inspector Rafique Dogar and his subordinates detained Abid along with a stolen motorcycle from Cooper Road around 8pm on Friday and took him to the police station.

He said Abid’s condition deteriorated in late hours and he was shifted to Nawaz Sharif Hospital from where he was referred to Mayo Hospital.

The official said Abid died on Saturday morning and his body was shifted to morgue for autopsy.

He said Abid was previously challaned in two cases of motorcycle thefts.

He said Abid was arrested by the CIA police and was taken to a public hospital instead of private one.

Quoting the family, the official said Abid was picked by policemen and was subjected to torture which led to his death.

CIA SP Captain (retired) Liaqat Ali Malik, when contacted, said police would wait the outcome of postmortem report and exemplary punishment would be given to the cops if torture was proved.

“I will not tolerate custodial killing or police torture in any shape, for or manifestation and delinquent policemen if found involved in torture on Abid would not be spared in any case,” he said.

He said any legal action would be linked to the outcome of autopsy.