Questions over the latest custodial deaths

EDITORIAL: The mysterious deaths of two young women- accused of theft- in police custody in Lahore have once again drawn attention to Pakistan’s troubling record of custodial deaths and the persistent lack of accountability within law enforcement. Whatever the allegations against them, the women were in the custody of the state.

Once a person is detained, responsibility for his or her safety, health and dignity rests entirely with the authorities. Their deaths, therefore, cannot be dismissed as an unfortunate incident or explained away through unverified claims. The state bears an undeniable obligation to account for what transpired while the women were in its custody.

Senior police officials have denied allegations of torture, maintaining that the women were chronic drug users and may have died from an overdose. These claims, however, remain to be established through a transparent inquiry supported by postmortem findings and forensic evidence. Reports that the women were assaulted by local residents before being handed over to the police also warrant close scrutiny.

It must be established whether they received a medical examination upon arrival at the police station, whether their condition was properly monitored during detention, and whether established procedures governing the treatment of detainees were followed. These are matters that require clear and credible answers rather than speculation. The incident is especially disturbing because it comes at a time when public confidence in the police has already been shaken by allegations of the rape of a mentally challenged girl inside another police station in Lahore. While the two cases are unrelated, together they reinforce concerns about weak institutional safeguards and inadequate oversight within police stations.

Every custodial death demands a prompt, independent and impartial investigation. This is not only a legal obligation but also a test of institutional credibility. Any inquiry must be insulated from interference by officials who may have been involved, and its findings should be made public. If negligence, abuse or criminal misconduct is established, those responsible must face prosecution rather than routine transfers or internal disciplinary measures. At the same time, this tragedy underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms, including mandatory medical screening of detainees, continuous CCTV monitoring in police stations, stronger independent oversight, and strict adherence to arrest and detention protocols.

The true measure of a justice system lies in how it treats those who are most vulnerable. The two women had not been convicted of any offence; they were merely suspects accused of stealing a relatively small amount of cash and jewelry. Their guilt or innocence was for a court of law to determine. Instead, they died while in state custody. Unless the facts are established through an impartial investigation and accountability follows where warranted, such incidents will continue to undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system and reinforce the perception that meaningful police reform remains an unfulfilled promise.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026