VEHARI: The Punjab government on Thursday removed Burewala Assistant Commissioner Rana Aurangzeb from his post on charges of misbehaving and torturing the security guard of a private school for implementing the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

A notification issued in this regard says: “Rana Aurangzeb (PMS/BS-17), Assistant Commissioner, Burewala, is hereby transferred with immediate effect and directed to report to the Administration Wing, S&GAD, for further orders.”

Earlier, Vehari Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Waqas Rasheed launched an inquiry into the alleged torture of the school security guard by the AC and his security staff and registration of a case against the guard.

The two-member inquiry committee formed on Thursday consisted Additional Deputy Commissioner Khalid Mehmood Gilani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Education Hafiz Qasim. The DC asked the committee to complete the inquiry within 24 hours.

The action against the AC was taken after social media, TV channels and local circles reacted against the behaviour of AC Rana Aurangzeb and torture of security guard Yousaf of a famous chain of schools for following the Covid-19 SOPs during his duty at the school gate.

The incident happened on Wednesday when the AC went to the school to check the SOPs implementation on the day when primary classes restarted after the lockdown.

A video clip that went viral on social media showed AC Aurangzeb reaching the private school branch on College Road to check the coronavirus SOPs. The security guard tried to stop the AC to check his temperature with a temperature gun before his entry to the school as per the SOPs.

AC Aurangzeb refused to let the guard check his temperature and misbehaved with him. On his return, the security staff of the AC tortured guard Yousuf and, according to some TV channels, bundled him in the official police vehicle and put him behind bars in the police station.

The AC also registered a case with Burewala Model Town police on the same day against Yousuf on charges of misbehaviour and obstructing official work.

After the incident went viral on social media on Thursday, Federal Minister for Water Resources tweeted: “As a matter of principle, this AC should be meted out the same treatment as he gave this poor security guard. Speaking to the chief secretary (about the matter). The AC should be suspended from service. An FIR should be registered against him and he should be jailed.”

After the inquiry was launched, Shahbaz Gill, the special assistant to prime minister, took to Twitter, terming it shameful that a case had been registered against the victim of torture. He also took on the Vehari DC, saying that inquiry had been handed over to the colleagues of the AC. He had also sought action against the AC and the station house officer (SHO).

AC Aurangzeb was not available for comments when the correspondent contacted him.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2020