Initial findings reveal that Irfan was illegally detained and tortured during interrogation, resulting in his death.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a case against six officials of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for the alleged custodial death of a youth, identified as Irfan, in Karachi.
According to FIA officials, the case was filed under Sections 8 and 9 of the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022 in the Anti-Corruption Circle. Initial findings suggest that Irfan was illegally detained and subjected to torture during interrogation, which allegedly led to his death.
The accused officials named in the FIR include ASI Abid Shah, ASI Muhammad Sarfaraz, Constable Asif Ali, Constable Waqar, Constable Humayoon Baig and Constable Fayyaz Ali.
Read more: Seven Karachi police officers suspended after death of youth in SIU custody
FIA officials said further investigations are underway and assured that “strict legal action will be taken against those responsible.”
Reports of the incident emerged last week when Irfan died under disputed circumstances while in the custody of the police’s Special Investigation Unit. While authorities claimed that Irfan had suffered a heart attack, his relatives alleged that he had been tortured to death.
Relatives said Irfan, who had recently traveled from flood-affected Ahmadpur Sharqia in Bahawalpur, had been staying with his uncle at BR Society, Buffer Zone. On October 22, Irfan and three friends, Nasir, Salman and Imran, went to have breakfast near Ayesha Manzil. While recording videos, they were allegedly detained by SIU personnel as suspects and their mobile phones were confiscated.
The family claimed they lost contact with the children after the arrest and later learned that Irfan had died in custody. His body was first taken to Jinnah Hospital for an autopsy before being shifted to Edhi mortuary in Sohrab Goth.
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The alleged death in custody sparked widespread public outrage. Irfan’s family and local residents organized demonstrations, accusing the police of “abuse of authority and brutality.”
Amid the growing protest, at least three deputy sub-inspectors and four SIU officers were suspended. Officials confirmed that forensic and procedural evidence is being collected.
