Police torture and threatening encounter: Citizen approached PHC

Humayun Khan

PESHAWAR: A citizen has approached Peshawar High Court (PHC) against torture by Azakhel police while kept in detention at police post Pushtoon Garhi on 10th to 13th February while the writ seeking to retain police from arresting, harassing and taking into custody till the disposal petition.

The writ petition has been filed by Saqib-ur-Rehman while Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Deputy Inspector General Mardan, District Police Officer Nowshera, Station House Officer (SHO) police station Azakhel, In-charge Police Post Ajab Bagh Pushtoon Garhi and Fida Muhammad were made respondents.

The petition stating that on 10th February Azakhel police illegally raided the house and arrested the petitioner and added that in the same evenig petitioner was shifted to police post Pushtoon Garhi, where he was vexatiously and illegally detained till 13th February 2023.

On repeated requests, the petitioner was informed that, he is under arrest in First Information Report (FIR) filed on 7th February by Fida Muhammad against unknown persons.

The petitioner’s father reached police post Pushtoon Garhi but were not allowed to meet his son, however, In-charge police post informed the father of applicant that he has arrested Saqib-ur-Rehman on directions of DPO Nowshera and SHO Azakhel while no one can detain anyone more than 24 hours but In-charge turned deaf ear, the writ added.

The unfortunate family time and again approached the respondents, regarding the innocence of but in vain. It is important to note that father of petitioner was told by an insider that during illegal detention, the petitioner was subjected to brutal torture, who twice become unconscious, the petition argued.

The petition stated that SHO Azakhel and In-charge Pushtoon Garhi warned petitioner while releasing that in case he approached Court of Law or informed media or complaint to superior then he will be again taken into custody in untraced case, and will be eliminated/ killed in police encounter.