On August 5, Human Rights Watch urged Pakistani officials to carry out a swift, independent, and unbiased criminal inquiry into the in-custody deaths of a woman and a 17-year-old girl in Lahore’s Punjab province. According to the Human Rights Watch report, the two sisters-in-law, identified only as Anmol and Amina, died while in custody, renewing concerns over alleged torture and the failure of authorities to hold police officials accountable under the 2022 Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act.
Custody Deaths and Police Account of Events in Lahore
According to the Human Rights Watch report, Lahore police stated they received a complaint on August 4 at around 2:45 pm from a resident alleging that the two women entered his house and stole gold ornaments and cash. Other reports cited by Human Rights Watch noted that residents apprehended the two sisters-in-law and handed them over to police. Police registered a First Information Report later that afternoon, transferring Anmol to the Lytton Road police station under the supervision of female officers and Amina to the Township police station. Police claimed the health of both women deteriorated sharply within hours, resulting in Anmol dying at the police station and Amina passing away after being shifted to a hospital.
Family Allegations and Medical Findings
Families of the deceased have disputed the police version of events, according to Human Rights Watch. Relatives stated they went to the Township police station after learning of the arrests, where they were allegedly told the two women were sent to jail and to arrange bail. The bodies, handed over to families on August 6, allegedly showed torn clothing and marks suggesting torture. Families claimed police offered them money for their silence, an allegation police denied. Police also claimed initial inquiry reports suggested the woman and girl were chronic drug users who may have died from an overdose. Autopsies were delayed by nearly two days due to police not completing required formalities—delays some officials attributed to difficulties in verifying identity documents. Autopsy findings indicated both women died following cardiac arrest but did not establish the underlying cause of death, leaving medical examiners to send evidence to a forensic laboratory for further analysis.
Enforcement of Pakistan’s 2022 Anti-Torture Law
Human Rights Watch pointed out that a magisterial inquiry, which a magistrate has since initiated by visiting the Township police station, examining bodies, and recording statements, does not replace a criminal investigation under Pakistani law. Complaints of torture and custodial deaths allegedly perpetrated by public servants must be investigated by the Federal Investigation Agency under the oversight of the National Commission for Human Rights, as mandated by the 2022 Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act. However, Human Rights Watch noted no report appeared to be registered against any police officer regarding the deaths. Patricia Gossman, senior Asia associate director at Human Rights Watch, stressed that authorities have obligations under Pakistani and international law to investigate promptly and impartially, independent of the police officers under scrutiny.
Broader Context of Custodial Abuse in Punjab Province
These fatalities occurred following the August 2 incident where a woman with a disability was allegedly raped at the Ghaziabad police station in Lahore. In that case, an assistant sub-inspector is under investigation and all 78 staff members posted at the station have been suspended, according to Human Rights Watch. The rights organization noted it has previously documented beatings, sexual violence, sleep deprivation, and abuse in Pakistani police custody. Highlighting weak enforcement of the 2022 legislation, Human Rights Watch cited Federal Investigation Agency figures told to the Lahore High Court in May showing that out of 364 nationwide inquiries registered as of April 30, only 52 became formal criminal cases. In Punjab specifically, out of 266 inquiries, only 19 resulted in registered First Information Reports. The agency cited resource and budget limitations, while Human Rights Watch noted that rules to implement the 2022 law were approved only in November 2025.
Potential Next Steps and Legal Standards
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