An official inquiry ordered by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has confirmed allegations of police torture against Ghulam Murtaza, the husband of a woman who died in the Bhati Gate manhole tragedy, exposing grave misconduct by senior officers.
The Internal Accountability Branch completed the inquiry on the chief minister’s orders. The probe was conducted by Additional IG Imran Mahmood, DIG Nasir Aziz Virk, and DIG Imran Kishwar.
The inquiry report found City SP Bilal and Bhati Gate SHO Zain Abbas guilty of torturing Ghulam Murtaza. Both officers admitted to the abuse during the inquiry.
According to the report, the SP and SHO took Ghulam Murtaza from the scene to Bhati Gate Police Station. He was repeatedly tortured inside the SHO’s room.
Crucially, the inquiry team obtained video evidence from a camera installed in the SHO’s room, corroborating the allegations of torture.
Illegal detention, pressure to confess
The report states that Ghulam Murtaza was kept in illegal detention for five and a half hours. During this time, police officers pressured him to confess to killing his wife and daughter.
The inquiry team travelled to Shorkot to record Murtaza’s statement, where he reiterated that he was beaten, threatened, and coerced into admitting to crimes he did not commit.
Investigators concluded that both officers mishandled the incident in a highly unprofessional manner. They failed to question other relatives who arrived at the scene with Ghulam Murtaza and instead immediately summoned the girl’s father.
The inquiry noted that such conduct violated standard operating procedures and basic principles of investigation.
Police officers’ defense rejected
In their statements, the accused officers claimed that rescue and other agencies told them it was “impossible for a woman to drown” at the location. They said this led them to take Ghulam Murtaza to the police station on suspicion.
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The inquiry, however, rejected this justification and held the officers responsible for unlawful detention and torture.
Departmental action recommended
The inquiry report has recommended departmental action against both officers. The findings have been submitted to the Punjab inspector general of police, who will forward the report to the Punjab chief minister for further action.
Following media reports of violence, SHO Zain Abbas has already been suspended, officials confirmed.
Committee to probe misinformation
In a related development, a high-level committee headed by the additional chief secretary has been formed to investigate how conflicting and incorrect information about the Bhati Gate tragedy reached the media.
The committee will question officials from the police, rescue services, civil defense, WASA, district administration, and TEPA. Officers and officials who reached the accident site have been directed to appear before the committee.
The case relates to the deaths of a mother and daughter from Shorkot, who lost their lives after falling into an open manhole near Bhati Gate in Lahore.
Authorities say the committee will determine responsibility for misinformation based on recorded statements, as questions persist over how false narratives surrounding the tragedy were circulated.
