Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: The police officer who shaves the heads of ‘culprits’ has become a sign of terror in the city.

Rata Amral Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Ghulam Asghar Chandia has hired a barber for this purpose. People have forwarded applications to the Lahore High Court and Punjab chief minister against the SHO.

A probe was held against Chandia but the Police Department has put the inquiry report in the cold storage. When Chandia was given the charge of New Town police station, he ordered his subordinates to remove the hair of ‘culprits’ soon after their arrest. As many as 18 young people were ‘served’ for free. Interestingly, police seized drugs from most of the arrested people.

Abdul Qayyum, a brother of one such young man (Muhammad Farooq), swore to God that his brother had no drugs, but the police arrested him and deprived him of Rs 50,000. “First of all the SHO did not accept that he took money, but when we insisted, he admitted that the money might be taken by his special servant and he can return half of the amount,” he added.

He said that he complained to the police high-ups on which his brother was proven guilty in two inquires, but the third probe said removing hair of the culprits has become an old issue. However, the jail record is evident where the photos of criminals are available without hair when they were shifted to Adiala Jail.

Qayyum said he had urged the barber to give a statement against Chandia, but the police pressed him to remain silent. Rawalpindi CPO Israr Abbasi transferred Chandia to Rata Amral police station on February 1. When contacted, Rata Amral police reader said the transfer orders of Chandia have been complied. People have appealed to the LHC chief justice and Punjab CM to take action against Chandia.