No justification for torture during interrogation, rules Sindh High Court

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday declared that custodial deaths must not be permitted to occur and that the notion that violence is the only means of extracting information during interrogation must come to an end.

The ruling came in a case involving the death of a suspect in a police lock-up, coupled with allegations that private torture cells were being operated by police officials.

Bail applications of three police officers dismissed

A single-judge bench of the SHC, headed by Justice Omar Sial, dismissed the bail applications of three police officers implicated in the custodial death case. The court also directed the inspector general of Sindh police to initiate disciplinary action against the police officials involved in the incident.

The accused police officers include the then Station House Officer (SHO) of Sakrand, Muhammed Mithal Khakhrani, sub-inspector Sabir Hussain Gopang, and the duty officer at the police station, Yaseen. They, along with other policemen, have been booked in connection with the alleged custodial death.

Court directs provincial police officer to protect force's reputation

The SHC directed the provincial police officer to ensure that no individual is allowed to tarnish the reputation of the police force, including those serving within its own ranks. The court's order underscored the need for accountability within law enforcement agencies to prevent such incidents from recurring.

The ruling by Justice Omar Sial carries significant weight as it firmly establishes the court's position against the use of torture and violence during police interrogations. By dismissing the bail pleas of the accused officers and ordering disciplinary proceedings, the court signalled that custodial violence will not be tolerated under any pretext.

The case has brought renewed attention to the issue of custodial torture and the alleged existence of private torture cells run by police in Sindh. The court's directives to the inspector general and the provincial police officer reflect the judiciary's intent to hold law enforcement officials accountable for any abuse of power that results in the death or mistreatment of individuals in their custody.

The Sindh High Court ruled that custodial deaths cannot be allowed and dismissed bail applications of three police officers booked in a lock-up death case.