BAHAWALNAGAR: Two Maroot police officials were arrested on Wednesday after being booked for torturing a man to death while in custody on Tuesday night.

The incident sparked a protest when the body of Sarfraz, who had been picked up from his home by Maroot police on suspicion of drug peddling, was found in bushes near the Maroot police station.

The family, along with locals, blocked Maroot-Fort Abbas Road in protest.

A first information report, filed by the deceased’s brother, Muhammad Yusaf, stated that Sub-Inspector Ibrar and Constable Shehbaz, along with two unidentified people, raided Sarfraz’s house in village 303/HR and took him to Maroot police station on Tuesday morning. When Sarfraz’s brother and witnesses arrived at the station an hour later, police denied Sarfraz’s presence.

Later in the day, around 3pm, the family learned through social media that police were shifting Sarfraz’s body to Adda Sarafa. SI Ibrar and other officials brought the body in a police vehicle, where the family identified it and found signs of torture.

Police sources claimed Sarfraz was arrested on suspicion of involvement in drug peddling like buying and selling of liquor. However, the family alleged that Sarfraz was unlawfully arrested and brutally tortured to death after police received a bribe from someone.

On Tuesday night, the family and local residents protested the custodial death, demanding justice by blocking the main road.

The Bahawalnagar district police officer (DPO) negotiated with the protesters and assured them that a murder case would be registered against four individuals, including two Maroot police officers.

In a statement issued by the DPO’s office on Wednesday, it was confirmed that the officials had been taken into custody and the case would be investigated on merit.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2024