Christian man dies in Pak police custody, family cries foul

A 35-year-old man Christian man, accused of selling drugs, died in police custody under mysterious circumstances in Pakistan's Lahore city while his family has alleged that he was tortured to death.
Police, however, said Shahzad Masih alias Mithu, who was Friday intercepted and arrested for selling drugs by a police team on patrol in Green Town area, yesterday died after suffering a heart attack at Green Town police station.
"Assistant Sub-Inspector Rauf Ahmad had demanded money for his (Shahzad's) release. After we refused to do so, Ahmad and other policeman tortured him to death," Rehmat Masih, a relative of the deceased, alleged.

Shahzad's family members along with other members of the community protested in front of the police station and engaged in stone pelting. Angry protesters also burned tyres and broke glass, blocking the road outside the police station.
Police could bring the situation under control only after senior officials assured the protesters of a fair inquiry into the matter.
"ASI Ahmad and three other constables have been suspended on the basis of a complaint by Shahzad's family. The apparent cause of death is cardiac arrest," senior police officer Haider Ashraf said.
He said the body had been sent for autopsy and further action against the accused policemen would be taken in the light of post-mortem report.