By Saleem Mubarak
LAHORE: Sandah Police allegedly forced journalists to lick their shoes while torturing them in the police station.
This was revealed by Iqrarul Hassan in his vlog featuring the torture of digital media journalist Noman Sulehri and his colleagues.
He said that evidence is available on record showing that the journalists were subjected to severe torture by the policemen, who also compelled them to lick their shoes.
He said that a ‘man’ arrived at the police station for reconciliation, and Noman Sulehri complained to him of the torture and being forced to lick their shoes. He complained that the policemen recorded video of the entire incident.
Rather than assuring him that the perpetrators would face the music for abducting, torturing and humiliating them by forcing them to lick their shoes, the ‘man’ insisted that the incriminating video must never see the light of day.
Iqrarul Hassan also played the secretly recorded video in which Noman Sulehri and the influential ‘man’ are talking.
Journalists Question Police Accountability
Ahtshamul Haq, a broadcast journalist, said that one can only imagine the treatment a common man would face at the hands of abusive policemen in detention. He questioned what offense Nauman Sulehri’s team had committed–they had simply inquired why the policemen were on duty without identification.
The videos recorded by the journalists indicated that the policemen were not wearing name plates, he added.
Graphic Details of Torture Revealed
Iqrarul Hassan said the footage painted a grim picture of Sandha Police, which allegedly abducted, tortured, and humiliated the journalists. The incident, caught on camera, threw down the gauntlet on police accountability and abuse of power.
He said that Noman’s nose was broken, and his hands were tied by the policemen. To add insult to injury, the officers allegedly forced the journalists to lick their boots, while recording the humiliating act on video, he claimed.
Besides, he said a female journalist, Safia, was also caught in the crossfire and subjected to violence.
He said that medical examinations of Nauman confirmed his nose was fractured, leaving no room for doubt about the violence they endured.
“Reconciliation” Instead of Justice
He said to secure their release, Noman managed to contact an ‘influential man’ having ‘strong ties’ to the police. The man, whose name was not disclosed, arrived at the station at around 3:00 AM. However, instead of justice, a so-called “reconciliation” was brokered at the police station.
The detained journalists had no choice but to retrieve their confiscated cameras and other belongings, he added.
Questionable Police Practices Exposed
Ahtsham said that digital media journalist Noman Sulehri and his colleague Bilal and others were just documenting suspicious activities by masked policemen at various checkposts in Lahore.
He pointed out that these policemen were not wearing name plates and were driving unregistered vehicles—raising red flags about their intentions. He stressed that it is the duty of journalists worldwide to expose those who violate the law.
When Noman and Bilal exposed this questionable behavior, they were reportedly abducted by Sandha police.
He said that officers must keep a close watch on their subordinates. Rather than torturing journalists, the officers should question their subordinates about why they perform duties while wearing masks and without proper identification.
He warned that anonymity helps rogue policemen to misuse their authority and deprive citizens of their belongings.
“Silence of senior police officers on this matter speaks volumes about their glaring failure,” he added.
Call for Action and Public Outcry
Iqrarul Hassan said that despite the damning evidence, no action has been taken against the accused policemen. He said the Lahore police are denying the allegations, terming the incident fabricated.
He urged DIG Operations Lahore, to crack the whip against the policemen involved in this heinous crime and ensure justice is served.
He categorically warned that shielding these policemen will only damage the credibility of the police department.
Ahmed Ali, a trader, speaking to Grand Lines, said this issue isn’t just about a few corrupt policemen taking the law into their hands; it’s about the system choosing to turn a deaf ear to such brutality.
He questioned the larger implications, saying, ‘If this can happen to journalists, what hope do ordinary citizens have?’
He stressed that strict action must be taken against policemen who dare to perform their duties while masking their faces and hiding their identification.Without such action, he warned these abuses will continue unchecked and erode public trust.
The public now waits with bated breath for a response from the Punjab police leadership. Will this case mark a turning point, or will it simply become another skeleton in the closet, buried under layers of official denial?
“I am sure no action will be taken against the accused policemen, and this case will soon bite the dust–lost in the shuffle of unaddressed scandals,” he added.
