Pakistan Urged to Probe Deaths of Woman and Girl in Police Custody

Pakistani authorities must conduct a prompt, independent, and transparent criminal investigation into the deaths of a woman and a 17-year-old girl in police custody in Lahore on August 5, 2026, Human Rights Watch has urged. The deaths of the sisters-in-law, identified only as Anmol and Amina, have raised serious concerns about torture and ill-treatment in police custody, particularly against women, despite a 2022 law aimed at addressing such abuses. ## Allegations of Torture and Police Accountability The police claim that the two women were arrested on August 4 after a local resident accused them of theft. They were taken to separate police stations, where their health allegedly deteriorated sharply, leading to their deaths. However, the families dispute the police account, stating that the bodies showed signs of torture and torn clothing. They also claim that police offered them money to remain silent. The police, in turn, have suggested that the women may have died from drug overdoses. An autopsy report indicated cardiac arrest as the cause of death but did not establish the underlying reason. The delay in conducting the autopsies-nearly two days-has been attributed to procedural issues, raising questions about the authorities' commitment to investigating custodial deaths. The families were only informed of the deaths on August 6, when the bodies were released to them. ## Legal Framework and Enforcement Gaps Pakistan’s 2022 Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act mandates that the Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) investigate such cases under the oversight of the National Commission for Human Rights. However, no formal complaint has been registered against any police official in connection with these deaths. A magisterial inquiry has begun, but Human Rights Watch emphasizes that this is not a substitute for a criminal investigation. The 2022 law has faced implementation challenges, with only 52 of 364 inquiries nationwide becoming formal criminal cases as of April 30. In Punjab province, where Lahore is located, 266 inquiries resulted in just 19 First Information Reports (FIRs). The FIA has cited resource and budget limitations as barriers to enforcement. ## Broader Concerns Over Police Abuse This incident follows the alleged rape of a woman with a disability at Ghaziabad police station in Lahore on August 2, which led to the suspension of all 78 staff members at the station. Human Rights Watch has documented widespread abuse in police custody, including beatings, sexual violence, and psychological torture. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable, often facing sexual assault or coercion in exchange for basic necessities. Pakistan’s Constitution and international treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture, require prompt and impartial investigations into custodial deaths. The Convention on the Rights of the Child also mandates that detention of minors be a last resort and for the shortest possible duration. ## Calls for Reform and Accountability Human Rights Watch urges Pakistani authorities to register a criminal case under the 2022 act and ensure an independent investigation with National Commission for Human Rights oversight. Police officials implicated in wrongdoing should be removed from roles that could interfere with the investigation, and those responsible should face prosecution under international fair trial standards. The organization also calls for stronger safeguards in detention facilities, particularly for women and children, including immediate access to lawyers, independent medical examinations, accurate custody records, and prompt family notifications. Compliance with the United Nations Bangkok Rules, which include supervision by female officers and confidential complaint mechanisms, is essential to prevent further abuses. “The deaths of Anmol and Amina will test whether Pakistan’s government is serious about enforcing the 2022 law when police officers are involved,” said Patricia Gossman, senior Asia associate director at Human Rights Watch. “Police stations must uphold the law, not become sites of abuse that go unchecked.”