Muzaffarabad, AJK (Pakistan administrated Kashmir) — Investigation Desk: In a surprising move that has sparked debate across social and political circles in Pakistan administrated Kashmir Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Secretariat Muzaffarabad, Inspector Raja Sohail Ahmed, was relieved of his duties and designated as Officer on Special Duty (OSD). The decision comes amid growing controversy surrounding recent high-profile arrests and allegations of misconduct within the police department.
Official Reason: ‘Weak Command & Control’
According to an official police order, Inspector Raja Sohail has been removed due to “inadequate command and control” following complaints of corruption and custodial misconduct involving his subordinate officers. A departmental investigation was triggered after a written complaint dated 21 June 2025, in which a citizen, Muhammad Aamir Chughtai of Kothi Muzaffarabad, accused ASI Tanzeel Siddique of demanding a bribe in return for facilitating bail for a detained individual—District Council Member Faisal Javed of Hattian Bala, Jhelum Valley.
When the bribe of PKR 5 lakh was allegedly refused and negotiated down to PKR 2 lakh but still not paid, ASI Siddique reportedly subjected the detainee to torture. The accused officer was suspended and referred to the Anti-Corruption Department for action under the misuse of authority provisions.
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In the wake of this scandal, SHO Raja Sohail was removed by the orders of the Inspector General of Police, reportedly for his failure to exercise effective oversight of his subordinates.
Backstory: Arrests that Challenged Power Structures
However, observers say the official narrative may not tell the full story. In the weeks leading up to his removal, SHO Raja Sohail was involved in a series of high-profile arrests, including the detention of a Deputy Secretary from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat in a sexual misconduct case. That same case later saw the arrest of an official from the AJK Department of Information.
These arrests, according to civil society and independent journalists, struck at the heart of powerful political and bureaucratic interests. Multiple sources allege that efforts were made behind the scenes—including ministerial involvement—to secure the release of the detainees, pressure which Raja Sohail reportedly resisted.
The Incident That May Have Sealed His Fate
On 23 June 2025, police from the Secretariat Station intercepted a suspicious vehicle late at night. Inside were Faisal Javed (the same council member) and another individual, Tariq Khan, reportedly under the influence of alcohol and transporting liquor in a non-custom paid vehicle with fake license plates.
Subsequently, accusations surfaced that police demanded PKR 5 lakh in bribes and used excessive force. The matter took a more political turn when Jamal Dewan, son of sitting Minister Sardar Dewan Chughtai, was allegedly involved in an altercation at the SSP Office. While police have not officially confirmed Jamal Dewan’s involvement, sources claim he appeared at the station in connection with the arrest and was involved in a verbal and physical confrontation.
This series of volatile events culminated today in the abrupt transfer of SHO Raja Sohail, who has now been directed to report to Central Police Office, Muzaffarabad.
Public Outcry and Divided Opinion
While the official police stance emphasizes procedural shortcomings, a growing chorus of civil society voices, journalists, and social media commentators is portraying the move as a reprisal against upright policing. Critics argue that Raja Sohail’s real “fault” was upholding the rule of law in the face of political interference and refusing to compromise investigations involving influential individuals.
Some commentators have gone so far as to call his removal “a blow to police integrity” and a sign that honest officers risk isolation when they refuse to bow to political pressures.
What Comes Next?
The incident has left pressing questions in its wake:
- Will the allegations of bribery and torture be investigated transparently?
- Was Raja Sohail genuinely dismissed for poor oversight, or was this a politically motivated move?
- Will the government authorize an independent inquiry to restore public trust?
In a region where institutional accountability remains a contested subject, this case could be a litmus test for how far the AJK administration is willing to go to protect justice over political convenience.
Until an impartial investigation is launched, the story of Raja Sohail remains not just about one officer’s career — but about the larger struggle for rule of law, police independence, and public confidence in AJK’s justice system.
