F A I S A L A B A D : Thekariwala police allegedly tortured a man to death who exchanged words with the station house officer over return of his seized licenced weapon on Tuesday night.

Police have registered a case against SHO inspector Mian Abid, his private guard and a driver and five unidentified officials of police patrol while City Police Officer Dr Haider Ashraf has suspended the SHO from service and ordered a probe into the issue.

Family members of alleged torture victim Shabbir, 40, a father of three, told reporters that inspector Abid, his guard Bashir Ahmad (a retired constable), Zulfiqar Ali (a private driver) along with patrolling policemen had spotted Shabbir near Government High School, Pensra, and took him to the Thekariwala police station.

They said Shabbir was interrogated by the police about the gun he was carrying. Shabbir told police that he had an enmity and got licence of his weapon.

During interrogation, they said the SHO had allegedly abused Shabbir who asked him not to do so. Over this, the SHO and Shabbir ex-changed words.

They said the SHO had asked his subordinates to shift him to a room. They alleged that the constables and the SHO had tortured Shabbir to death.

The death of Shabbir had panicked the policemen who placed his body outside the police station and informed their bosses that a visitor had collapsed outside the police station.

Later on, they said the police shifted the body of Shabbir to Allied Hospital.

The suspended SHO said Shabbir was not tortured rather he had fallen sick suddenly and police immediately shifted him to the hospital.

The CPO said a committee comprising Madina Town and Iqbal Town SPs had been constituted to probe the issue within 24 hours. He said 12 cases including 324 of PPC and other sections had been registered against Shabbir.

`We will proceed against the SHO and constables if torture is proved.

He said the inquiry committee would record evidence and statements.

Police have registered a case under sections 148, 149 and 302 of the PPC with no arrest.

Meanwhile, the chief minister has also sought a report on the incident.