A judicial inquiry conducted into the deaths of two women detained by Lahore’s Township police revealed no visible signs of violence or injuries on their bodies. However, the definitive cause of death will be established only after comprehensive post-mortem and forensic examinations are completed.
Judicial Magistrate Kamran Karamat, overseeing the inquiry under Section 176 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), submitted an interim report to the District and Sessions Judge in Lahore. The magistrate personally inspected the bodies of Amna, daughter of Gulshan, and Anmool, daughter of Azmat, at Jinnah Hospital around 5 pm.
The report noted that upon preliminary examination, there were no obvious indications of torture or violence on the deceased women. Dr. Saeeda Amjad from the Medicine Unit-I at Jinnah Hospital confirmed that both women were brought to the hospital already deceased.
The inquiry was initiated following judicial orders to determine the cause of death. Magistrate Karamat also visited Township police station, recording statements from police officials, including the station house officer, investigators, moharrars, and other personnel involved.
Following the inquiry, the SHO of Township police station was instructed to take custody of the bodies and ensure post-mortem examinations proceed in compliance with legal protocols.
Importantly, the report clarified that the absence of visible injuries is not conclusive. It emphasized that final conclusions regarding any violence or injuries will depend on the forthcoming post-mortem findings. The report stated, “Prima facie, no apparent marks of violence or visible injuries were found on the bodies of the accused persons. However, a final determination in this regard shall be made upon receipt of the post-mortem report.”
This development follows the mysterious deaths of the two women shortly after their arrest by Township police in connection with an alleged fraud case. Police had taken Amna and Anmool into custody on August 4, accusing them of defrauding a family in Township Sector B.
the police account, the women were reportedly begging in the area and gained entry into a house by requesting water. They allegedly convinced a girl to hand over her gold earrings under the pretext of performing a spiritual ritual, or dum. The family recovered the earrings before contacting police via emergency helpline, leading to a fraud case registration against the women.
Contrastingly, the families disputed the police version, alleging the women were tortured while in custody. Relatives also claimed they received conflicting information about the women’s whereabouts before being informed of their deaths. They insisted there were visible signs of torture on the bodies, demanding an impartial investigation.
Police rejected these allegations, maintaining that the cause of death remains unconfirmed and that medical and forensic examinations are necessary to clarify the circumstances.
The judicial inquiry’s preliminary findings have ruled out visible signs of violence but have not absolved any party or determined the exact cause of death. The report underscores the critical role of post-mortem results in establishing the final cause.
The interim report has been submitted to the District and Sessions Judge, Lahore, for further directives.
