ISLAMABAD: An under-trial prisoner (UTP) tried to take his own life in police custody while three others attempted to escape after injuring a fellow prisoner on Friday.

The prisoner had also attempted suicide in April as well.

Sub-Inspector (SI) Niaz Mohammad told Dawn that the under-trial prisoner was brought to District and Sessions Court Islamabad from Adiala Jail in connection with a suicide attempt on April 12. The UTP had requested Judicial Magistrate Waqar Hussain Gondal to conduct his medical examination.

He was taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for medical examination and was being brought back to the lower courts when he broke his handcuff in the police vehicle and wounded his arm at different places with the sharp edge of the broken handcuff, the SI said.

The policemen deployed for security and transportation of UTPs, overpowered him after which he was shifted to the hospital for medical assistance, the SI said. Later, the prisoner was shifted to Margalla police station for further legal action.

A complaint was lodged with the police to register a case against him under Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) 325 (attempt to commit suicide).

Previously, he was brought to the court in connection with a case registered against him with Bhara Kahu police station under charges 324, 364-A and 342. On that day too he injured himself with iron rods of the Bakhshi Khana, the SI added.

Meanwhile, another UTP was beaten and injured by a group of prisoners in a police van when they were being brought to the court from jail.

A police convoy, comprising five prison vans, was bringing UTPs from jail for court proceedings in the lower court.

The prisoners in one of the vehicles, got into a fight. When the policemen tried to rescue the injured prisoner, the three UTPs attacked them too, they said, adding the UTPs tried to escape but their efforts failed.

The injured was provided medical assistance and a complaint was lodged against the other three UTPs at Margalla police station under charges 224, 337-A, 186, 353, and 506. The three UTPs were arrested in connection with an armed robbery case registered at Sabzi Mandi police station on Dec 31, 2018.

Margalla police, when contacted, said the UTPs were in their custody and separate legal action was being initiated against them.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2021