PHC takes notice of young man's torture in viral video

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court Thursday took notice of the inhumane torture of a young man in police custody, directing the Inspector-General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to hold an impartial inquiry into the matter.  

Justice Qaisar Rasheed in his remarks said that the KP police had a rich history when it came to sacrifices in the war against terror. However, the reputation of the entire department was being tarnished due to a few black sheep.

The honourable judge told the IGP that the humiliation of the young man at the hands of some police officials had shaken our society and deeply shocked the nation. “What are you doing and in which direction is your department moving?” he asked the police chief.

The bench comprising Justice Qaisar Rasheed and Ijaz Anwar heard the case pertaining to the video in which some of the police officials of Tehkal Police Station were seen torturing and disgracing a man named Aamir Tehkalay and also filming the incident.

The video went viral on social media and triggered protests, caused sparked widespread anger and condemnation from members of the civil society and people in general.

IGP Sanaullah told the court the SHO and police officials involved in the incident had been suspended and also SSP Peshawar removed from his office.

The police chief expressed deep concern over the incident and assured the court that an impartial inquiry would be conducted and those found involved in the incident would be awarded an exemplary punishment.

KP Bar Council condemns torture episode

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council condemned the torturing and humiliation of the young man and termed it a flagrant violation of the human rights, law and Constitution.

In a statement, the Vice-Chairman of the KP Bar Council, Shahid Raza Malik, announced that the lawyer fraternity would boycott the courts on Friday to condemn the incident. He demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.

Meanwhile, Judicial Magistrate Farooq Shah remanded the three police officials involved in the brutal torture of the young man, in the FIA's custody of the Tehkal Police Station. 

Originally published in The News