Young suspect dies in CTD custody

ISLAMABAD: A young man in his twenties died in the custody of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Friday night.

The people engaged in the investigation of the case claimed that the deceased accused died of severe ailment while family of the deceased alleged that he was tortured to death. The family alleged that the investigating officers were responsible for his death.

The police have registered first information report (FIR) against Investigating Officer Inspector Shamsul Akbar, Station House Officer (SHO) CTD Police Station and two other constables under the charges of accidental death (322/34 PPC) for their alleged responsibility of the death.

The heirs of the deceased staged a protest demonstration and blocked the road by placing the body on the road. Elder brother of the deceased, Hassan said that on Friday, a police party of CTD Police Station Islamabad raided his house and took his younger brother with them saying that he would be released after two hours. He said that at about 3:00am on Saturday, the police came to his house and asked him to bring his brother back to home, adding that as he reached police station, his brother was dead.

The CTD Police, when contacted, said that the accused Hassan was wanted to the CTD for his alleged involvement in the killing of a head constable of Islamabad Police on 8th March this year. A case was registered with the CTD Police Station under Section 302/324/353/186/34 PPC and 7 ATA, adding that the police detained him for the investigation of the case but as he was shifted to the lockup, he started hitting his head against the iron window of the lockup and sustained injuries. The CTD officials said that the accused suffering from fever, and consequently, he expired due to the infirmity.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Afzaal Kausar said, “The aspect of torture could not be ruled out, however, the accused died due to negligence of the police,” adding that he was waiting for the post mortem report and howsoever was found involved, would be punished according to the law.