SARGODHA: A murder case has been registered against ex-SHO of Kot Momin police station and three other policemen after they allegedly tortured a mobile phone theft suspect for a week, who later succumbed to his injuries.

In the FIR registered by Kot Momin police, former SHO Iqrar Shah, Sub Inspector Asad, a policeman Akhtar and an unknown ASI, have been nominated.

According to relatives of the deceased, Inayatullah, a resident of Aimanabad, he was picked by Kot Momin police in connection with the theft of mobile phone sets worth Rs1 million.

They alleged that the police subjected the suspect, a father of three children, to severe torture for a week without seeking his physical remand.

When the suspect’s condition worsened, he was handed over to his family members, who first got him treated at Kot Momin and later shifted him to Bhalwal THQ Hospital with bone fractures and other injuries inflicted by police, they alleged.

They said the suspect had recorded his dying declaration, accusing the four police officials, including the ex-SHO Iqrar Shah, of torture.

Taking notice of the incident, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz sought a report from the regional police officer (RPO) and directed him to ensure justice and take action against the accused policemen as per the demand of the relatives of the deceased.

DPO Dr Asad Ijaz Malhi has appointed SP Investigation Farhan Aslam as inquiry officer to conduct a probe and submit a report.

A case has been registered against the suspects as no one is above the law, the DPO said.

SHOT DEAD: An ex-chairman of Salem Union Council, Chaudhry Sarfraz Tulla, was killed and his three companionswere critically injured when their opponents opened fire on their car near Salem Motorway Exchange, some 40km from here on Wednesday.

According to police, Tulla, along with three others, identified as Ali Shakir, Uzair and Afzal, was in a car when their rivals opened fire.

As a result, Tulla died on the spot, while the others were critically injured.

On being informed of the incident, a heavy contingent of police reached the spot and shifted the dead body and the injured men to Dr Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital, Sargodha.

DPO Dr Asad Ijaz Malhi said the motive behind the attack is being investigated and special teams have been formed to arrest the attackers.

He assured the bereaved family of the deceased that the killers would be arrested and brought to justice.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2024