LAHORE – Explaining the circumstances surrounding a police official’s mistreatment of a woman on the Millat Express train, Pakistan Railways spokesperson Babar Ali Raza stated that the incident occurred because the woman was occupying another passenger’s seat. Despite the police constable’s repeated attempts to persuade her to vacate the seat, she refused, leading to the altercation.
In an interview with a private TV channel the spokesperson recounted that the passenger initially asked the woman to move but resorted to involving the police when she refused and disrupted his belongings.
“The police constable, Mir Hasan, pleaded with the woman, identified as Maryam, for approximately 20-25 minutes to vacate the seat, but she remained adamant,” he explained.
Raza clarified that the details were gathered from eyewitnesses present during the incident, with further information available in the video footage that surfaced later.
The incident gained public attention after a video of the policeman went viral on social media, showing him physically assaulting the woman while fellow passengers remained passive.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Railways Abdullah Sheikh confirmed that the incident occurred on April 7 aboard the Karachi to Lala Musa-bound Millat Express.
Regarding Hasan’s status, the spokesperson mentioned that he was out on bail and that they would seek to revoke his bail on Tuesday.
Contrary to some reports alleging the woman’s murder, Raza emphasized that Hasan only relocated her to another coach. He added that the woman’s body was discovered near Chani Goth, Bahawalpur, while Hasan disembarked at Hyderabad station.
Raza provided details from the official’s call record, indicating his presence in Karachi and Hyderabad on April 7 and 8, along with the weapon deposit record in Hyderabad.
He mentioned ongoing witness statements, indicating that the woman jumped off the train herself, although investigations remained open to all possibilities.
Inquiry committee report
A four-member inquiry committee, led by DIG Railway Police (South Zone), committed to presenting its findings within three days. The spokesperson also noted that the victim’s relatives reported her as mentally ill.
However, he clarified that the jurisdiction for the case fell under the local police station where the incident occurred, not the railway police.
The woman’s brother, Afzal, alleged that the suspects harassed and assaulted her, leading to her death, and urged for a murder case to be registered under Section 302.
