Lahore traffic warden suspended after motorcyclist dies from injuries

Family seeks case against warden as police maintain Zain collided with officer while trying to flee A traffic warden has been suspended after a 30-year-old motorcyclist, Muhammad Zain, died from injuries sustained during an incident involving a traffic official in Lahore’s Shadman area. Chief Traffic Officer Lahore suspended traffic assistant Sultanul Haq over alleged negligence and dereliction of duty. An inquiry into the incident has been assigned to SSP Saddar Zone Hafiz Khizar Zaman. Zain’s body was handed over to his family on Wednesday on the orders of a competent court. The incident occurred near the Shadman Market U-turn at around 5: 30pm on August 26. According to police, Sultanul Haq signalled Zain, who was riding without a helmet, to stop. Police said Zain instead attempted to continue riding and collided with the traffic assistant. The motorcycle then went out of control and hit the pavement, leaving Zain with severe head injuries. The traffic assistant was also injured. CCTV footage cited in reports shows the traffic warden moving into the middle of the road while attempting to stop the motorcyclist. The motorcycle then collided with the warden before Zain hit the pavement. Zain was taken to Services Hospital in critical condition and remained under treatment for about five days. He died of his injuries on September 1. Police had already registered a case against Zain on August 28 on the complaint of a senior traffic warden. According to police, the case accused Zain of speeding, negligence and riding without a helmet. It alleged that he ignored the signal to stop and collided with the traffic assistant. After Zain’s death, police contacted his family regarding a post-mortem. The family reportedly opposed the procedure. His body was later handed over on September 2 following a court order. Zain’s brother Ayaz and his mother have submitted applications seeking registration of a case against Sultanul Haq. The family alleges that the warden came into the middle of the road to stop Zain and allegedly pushed him, causing him to fall and suffer a severe head injury. They have also described the case registered against Zain as based on fabricated facts and demanded action against the warden. The family has called for a transparent investigation, saying CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts could establish what happened. Ayaz also alleged in a video statement that police had not acted on the family’s application and claimed he was turned away when he visited the office of the SP Model Town. The family has appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take notice of the matter and ensure justice. Police and traffic officials maintain that Zain was riding without a helmet and collided with the traffic assistant while attempting to avoid stopping. Police said the complete circumstances would become clear after the inquiry and that any request by Zain’s family for legal action would be dealt with according to law. The inquiry will examine the circumstances leading to the incident and determine responsibility based on available evidence.

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