Police in Lahore suspended 78 personnel at the Ghaziabad police station on Tuesday, after an assistant sub-inspector was accused of sexually assaulting a girl with an intellectual disability inside the station.
Authorities said the assault took place in a room at the station two days earlier.
Why were 78 police personnel suspended in Lahore?
DIG Operations Faisal Kamran ordered the suspension after visiting the station on Monday night. He cited delays in acting against the accused officer and a failure to promptly inform senior officials, pointing to broader supervision and administrative failures at the station.
Police said the accused, identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Imran, allegedly brought the girl from her home to the station on a motorcycle. He told her family she was wanted in connection with a case. He then allegedly took her into a room inside the station, where the assault occurred.
Imran, who was attached to the station's investigation wing, has been arrested. A criminal case has been registered against him. The allegations triggered disciplinary action against the entire station staff.
Those suspended include the station house officer, two sub-inspectors, eight assistant sub-inspectors and five head constables. Front desk staff, the station clerk and drivers were also suspended, bringing the total to 78 personnel.
What happened to the Ghaziabad SHO and the investigation?
SHO Shahryar was among those suspended and has been replaced by Ali Zaib Dastgir. Police said a separate FIR was registered in connection with the suspension of the SHO and other station personnel.
The investigation into the case has been handed to an external team.
What did police say about accountability?
Kamran said the scale of the disciplinary action reflected failures in supervision, negligence and shortcomings in administrative oversight. "Every activity inside a police station should be within the knowledge of the SHO," he said, adding that the station house officer remains responsible for discipline and the overall working environment even though different units perform separate duties.
He said every official, from the SHO to field officers, was accountable for operational performance, supervision and administrative responsibilities. Negligence and poor oversight would not be tolerated, he warned.
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