LAHORE: Lahore High Court Justice Sarfaraz Dogar warned on Wednesday police officials of dire consequences - including hanging - while hearing the case of illegal detention of three citizens.

“Police have turned into thugs. I will have the station house officers (SHOs) hanged,” said Justice Dogar while ordering the immediate release of the three people.

The petition, filed by the father of two of those taken into custody, said that his two sons, Asad and Ali Raza, along with one Saleem were picked up by the police. His lawyer told the court that there was no case against them but the police not only took them into illegal custody but also tortured them in front of their family.

Upon this, Justice Dogar remarked that the would have the SHOs of Manawan and Batapur police stations hanged.

He remarked that no high court judge was hearing their case while the police was resorting to thuggery. “They have made an entire family miserable to catch one absconder.”

The judge lashed out at Criminal Investigation Agency Superintendent of Police Shams Durrani, saying he was not a good police officer.

DIG Operations Afzal Kausar acknowledged before the court that police officers were at fault while offering an unconditional apology.

Upon this, Justice Sarfaraz Dogar said that the DIG should teach his officers to appear in courts.