Police Encounters in Karachi – An autopsy based study

Abstract

Background & Objective: A unique study conducted in Karachi with actual facts and figures based on autopsy findings of killings in Police encounters during last three years, also highlighting the number of killings which occurred during last three years along with age group, parts of body involved in such deaths along with areas of Karachi, so as to give an overall picture of these encounters. More over the root causes of these encounters, along with recommendations to improve the prevailing law and order situation in Karachi enabling people to per sue their daily routine without any fear or threat to life and property. Methods: The study is an autopsy based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Mortuaries at Civil hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center and Abbasi-Shaheed Hospital of Karachi. The duration of study is based on three years, from 1st Jan 2011 to October 31st 2014. Records were gathered from the office of the Police Surgeon, Karachi and each post mortem report was scrutinized by the authors who are senior Forensic Experts themselves. All cases of police encounters that were brought for autopsy were included in the study while any case which was not autopsied was excluded. Aside from this custodial deaths have been excluded in the study. Results: Total number of encounter deaths autopsied during the period of study are 260, with 135(51.92%) autopsied at JPMC, 95(36.54%) at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and 30(11.54%) at Civil Hospital Mortuary. Identity of deceased was known in 108 cases (41.54%) and 152(58.46%) remained unidentified. Majority of cases were between 25-30 years (n=135, 51.92%), next in order of frequency were 31-35 years (n=46, 17.69%) and least in 36 and above years (n=37, 14.23%). On autopsy the pattern of frequency of body parts involved is ; bullet injuries in chest and abdomen in 110 cases (42.31%), only chest in 74 cases (28.46%), head in 17 cases (6.54%) and abdomen in 25 cases(9.62%).District wise Malir was venue of most of the encounter deaths 115(44.23%), followed by District South with 44 (16.92%) deaths, District East with 35(13.46). A comparison between 2013 and 2014, showed that the frequency of Police encounters has increased from 19.23% i.e. from 50 deaths in 2013 to 57.69% i.e.150 deaths in 2014, up to October 31st 2014. Conclusion: The word life has not been defined in the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, but it does not mean nor can it be restricted only to vegetative or animal life or mere existence from conception to death. Life includes all such amenities and facilities which a person born in a free country is entitled to enjoy with dignity, legally and constitutionally. So it is the duty of the state to provide safety to public. Although it is a good attempt to clean the city from notorious elements in the city of Karachi, but the main thing is that law enforcing agencies carry it without political discrimination and in cases of police encounters the action should be justified to rule out extra judicial killings. Speedy trial of those apprehended in courts of law and protection to witnesses will be of great help. Key Words: Police, Encounters, Autopsy, Karachi.