Punjab police officers accused of assaulting woman's husband in Bhaati case
Pakistan
Inquiry finds SP and SHO responsible for assaulting Bhaati woman’s husband; Ghulam Murtaza held illegally for 5 hours and pressured to accept charges, CCTV confirms assault at station.
LAHORE (Dunya News) - The Internal Accountability Branch, on the orders of the Punjab Chief Minister, has completed its inquiry into the alleged assault on Ghulam Murtaza, husband of a woman who died in Lahore’s Bhaati area.
According to police, the inquiry was conducted by Additional IG Imran Mehmood, DIG Nasir Aziz Work, and DIG Imran Kashkour, but SP City Bilal and SHO Bhatti Zeen were held responsible.
The report revealed that both police officers took Ghulam Murtaza from the scene to Bhatti police station, while no questioning was conducted with other relatives present.
The inquiry further disclosed that the officers immediately contacted the girl’s father and also brought a relative, Tanveer, to the station.
Ghulam Murtaza was subjected to assault in the SHO’s office, which was confirmed by CCTV footage installed in the room.
According to the report, Ghulam Murtaza was held in illegal custody for nearly five hours.
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The inquiry team also visited Shorkot to record his statement, in which he said police officers pressured him to accept charges of killing his wife and daughter.
The SP and SHO claimed in their statements that only minor physical force was used against Ghulam Murtaza.
Police officers stated that rescue and other agencies had informed them that drowning at the scene was impossible, which led to the suspicion and transfer of Ghulam Murtaza to the police station.
