Bahawalnagar issue: Punjab police SHO, ASI arrested for illegally detaining citizens

LAHORE – The Bahawalnagar incident including personnel of the Pakistan army engaging in assault of policemen is all over the internet, and now SHO, ASI, and several cops deployed at Madrasa police station were arrested.

The officers were taken into custody in accordance with Section 155C of the Police Order 2002 (penalty for certain types of misconduct by police) and Section 342 of the PPC (punishment for wrongful confinement).

Former SHO Rizwan Abbas, ASI Mohammad Naeem, and Constables Muhammad Iqbal and Ali Raza were earlier suspended by senior officials for making unauthorized arrests of people. The officials also didn’t appear in person before a local court.

Cops misused their authority and were lacking in carrying out their duties, thus mishandling the case involving army personnel.

According to the FIR, on April 8, ASI Naeem and other officers raided the home of Muhammad Anwar Jatt, a civilian. Women were allegedly exposed to abuse after SHO Madarsa Police Station Rizwan Abbas and other officers broke through barriers to gain entry into the house.

After the commotion, locals gathered and locked SHO and police officials in a room, and also made a video. Subsequently, additional Punjab police officers arrived on the site, made arrests, and allegedly used physical force against those inside the residence. It is also reported that SHO Rizwan Abbas and others were beaten.

Cops also held Muhammad Anwar Jatt, his son, Muhammad Khalil an army personnel, Anti-Narcotics employee Muhammad Idris, and others and transferred them to the Madarsa Police Station, where cases were registered against 23 individuals.

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