A court gunman in Hajeera, AJK, allegedly tortured by SSP after posting about IG Police Rana Abdul Jabbar’s past cases. The incident raises concerns about press freedom and abuse of power in Kashmir.
In a shocking incident that underscores the fragile state of free speech and human rights in conflict-affected Kashmir, Arshad Kamal, a gunman serving with the Sessions Judge in Hajeera, a twin in District Poonch in Pakistan administrated Kashmir reportedly attempted suicide after alleged custodial torture by a senior police officer.
According to verified sources and local journalists, Arshad Kamal had shared two Facebook posts. One discussed alleged corruption involving Anwaar Sarkar, prime minister of Azad Kashmir (AJK), while the second mentioned earlier media reports alleging that the current Inspector General of Police Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Rana Abdul Jabbar, had previously been declared an absconder in a legal case in Pakistan.
Realizing the sensitivity of the content, Kamal deleted the posts shortly after sharing them and issued public apologies in several social media groups. However, screenshots of the posts were circulated by a fellow employee, embellished with inflammatory commentary. This led to public backlash and eventually brought the matter to the attention of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).
Witnesses and sources claim that the SSP summoned Kamal to his residence and subjected him to physical violence, slaps, punches, and verbal abuse. He was allegedly detained for over three hours before being locked inside a private room.
Emotionally devastated, Kamal reportedly tried to hang himself using a ceiling fan in the same building. He was found in time and rescued. His medical condition remains undisclosed.
Public Reaction and Legal Implications
Legal experts and civil society activists have condemned the police’s alleged actions, calling them unconstitutional and an example of abuse of authority in Azad Kashmir.
“Even if he shared controversial content, the legal route was available. The SSP had no right to take justice into his own hands,” said a human rights lawyer in Muzaffarabad.