The Inspector General of Police for Sindh, Ghulam Nabi Memon, has formally requested a judicial inquiry into the controversial death of Nadir Jamali, a man who passed away while in police custody. The call for a transparent investigation comes amidst serious allegations from the deceased's family and growing public concern.
Contested Circumstances of Custody Death
The incident occurred on the night between Friday and Saturday at the Baghdadi police station in Lyari, Karachi. According to police officials, Nadir Jamali was arrested in connection with a mobile phone snatching case. The police claim he fell ill after his arrest and was subsequently transported to the Civil Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
However, the narrative presented by Jamali's family stands in stark contradiction. They have leveled serious accusations of torture, asserting that he was severely beaten by police personnel, which led directly to his death. The family's version has cast a dark shadow over the official police account, prompting demands for accountability.
Missing Evidence and Official Response
Compounding the mystery are significant gaps in evidence. The station house officer (SHO) of Baghdadi police station reported that the CCTV cameras were non-functional at the time of the incident. This critical lack of video footage severely hampers the ability to independently verify the sequence of events inside the police station.
In response to the escalating situation, IG Ghulam Nabi Memon took decisive action. He removed the SHO, Irshad Soomro, from his post and ordered his immediate transfer. Furthermore, the IG has directed the Additional IG of Karachi to conduct a thorough internal inquiry alongside the demanded judicial investigation. The body of Nadir Jamali has been sent for a comprehensive post-mortem examination to determine the precise cause of death.
Family's Anguish and Public Outcry
The family of the deceased has been vocal in their grief and demand for justice. They protest that Jamali was a young man in good health, making the police's claim of a sudden illness unconvincing. The allegations of custodial torture have resonated widely, sparking public outcry and raising familiar concerns about police conduct and accountability in Pakistan.
This case has once again brought the issue of custodial deaths and police transparency to the forefront in Sindh. The demand for a judicial inquiry represents an attempt to establish an impartial process, separate from the police's internal mechanisms, to uncover the truth. The outcome of the post-mortem report and the subsequent judicial probe will be closely watched.
The death of Nadir Jamali underscores the critical need for robust oversight and accountability within law enforcement agencies. As investigations proceed, the nation awaits answers to determine whether this was a tragic medical episode or a case of fatal misconduct.
