The Bhati Gate, Lahore tragedy has taken a darker turn as the husband of the deceased woman, Ghulam Murtaza, has come forward with harrowing allegations of police brutality, claiming he faced torture and intimidation while mourning the loss of his wife and young daughter.
According to Ghulam Murtaza, the pain of losing his wife Sadia and their daughter was compounded by the behaviour of the Punjab Police. He alleges that instead of helping him seek justice, police officials subjected him to physical violence and mental torture.
Murtaza says two tragedies unfolded simultaneously — one claiming the lives of his loved ones, and another breaking him through alleged abuse at the hands of those meant to protect him.
Beatings and forced confession
The bereaved husband alleges that police repeatedly beat and threatened him, pressuring him to falsely admit to murdering his wife and daughter. He says officers tried every possible tactic to force a confession and suppress the case.
According to his account, while his wife and child were fighting for their lives, he was fighting what he describes as extreme police brutality.
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Ghulam Murtaza has specifically named SP Bilal and SHO Zain Abbas, alleging they played leading roles in the torture and intimidation. He claims the violence continued despite his repeated pleas and his insistence on telling the truth.
Marks of alleged torture, he says, are still visible on his body and stand as proof of what he endured.
'Two doomsdays' for one man
In emotional remarks, Murtaza said not one but two “doomsdays” fell upon him — the death of his wife and daughter, and the suffering he endured at the hands of the police. He recalled crying out for help for his “poor wife and little fairy,” but says his pleas went unheard.
He alleges that the police attempted to silence him and bury the matter, even after his life had already been shattered by loss.
Standing firm despite pressure
Despite the alleged torture and threats, Ghulam Murtaza says he remained steadfast and refused to confess to a crime he did not commit. He warned the officials involved that injustice does not go unanswered and that the truth will eventually prevail.
His account has sparked renewed outrage and raised serious questions about police conduct in the Bhati Gate case.
The allegations have intensified demands for an impartial investigation into both the Bhati Gate tragedy and the conduct of the police officers involved. Human rights advocates argue that if proven, such actions would represent a grave abuse of power and a betrayal of public trust.
Meanwhile, the inquiry report of the high-powered committee formed to investigate the tragedy has been completed, with three police officers declared guilty of negligence, police sources confirmed.
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The inquiry was conducted by a three-member high-powered committee constituted by the Punjab inspector general of police. The committee was headed by the additional inspector general of police. DIG Ahmed Nasir Aziz Virk and DIG Imran Kishwar were also part of the committee formed to probe the incident.
According to police sources, committee members visited the scene of the incident at Bhati Gate. Statements of witnesses and eyewitnesses were recorded during the investigation.
The committee also recorded statements from the family of the deceased woman, identified as Sadia, to understand the sequence of events.
Senior police officers found negligent
The inquiry report found negligence on the part of the SP City, the SDPO, and the SHO concerned. After reviewing the evidence and testimonies, the committee declared all three officers guilty of negligence.
Police sources said the findings were based on facts gathered from the site visit and witness statements.
Allegations of torture
The report also states that the deceased woman’s husband was tortured in the SHO’s retiring room. This incident allegedly took place in the presence of the SP City, according to police sources.
The inclusion of these details in the report has further strengthened the case against the officers found negligent.
