Pictures of the brutal torture went viral on social media as people called for justice for the old citizen. ─ Photo by author

GHOTKI: A police constable in Ghotki, who reportedly tortured an aged Hindu man for selling edibles before Iftar, was arrested by police following a social media campaign calling for justice for the old man.

According to police, a cop named Ali Hassan – posted in Ghotki district's Hayat Pitafi town – was arrested on charges of torturing and injuring Gokal Das, an octogenarian.

SSP Ghotki Masood Bangash told Dawn that a First Information Report (FIR) had been registered in Jarwar police station under Sections 337, 504 and 506/2 of the Pakistan Penal Code against the policeman for assaulting the senior citizen.

The complainant in the case is Vindod Kumar, grandson of victim Gokal Das.

The cop Ali Hassan under police custody in Ghotki.─ photo by author

The police officer said the unfortunate incident, which drew everyone's attention, took place on Friday.

As pictures of Das showing his torture marks went viral on social media, Inspector General Sindh A.D. Khawaja also took notice of the incident, ordering immediate action.

A number of rights activists, while talking to Dawn, lauded the IG's quick response and demanded an exemplary punishment for the accused cop.

Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, sister of PPP co-chairman Bilawal Bhutto, also tweeted about the arrest of the policeman.