The mysterious deaths of two women suspects in the custody of Lahore’s Township Police have sparked fresh controversy, with their families alleging the victims bore signs of torture and accusing police of misleading them about their whereabouts.

The deceased, identified as Anmol and Amina, who were relatives, were taken into custody by police after a theft complaint received through the Police Helpline 15, according to rescue and police sources.

Family members said police informed them that the women had been arrested.

However, when they reached the police station, they were told the women had already been sent to jail.

They claimed police officials handed them a copy of the FIR and advised them to arrange bail for the two women.

The relatives also claimed that both women had marks of torture on their bodies.

They also said Anmol was the mother of a four-month-old infant.

Meanwhile, post-mortem examinations of the two women have yet to be conducted, with both bodies still lying in the mortuary of Jinnah Hospital.

Hospital sources said a medico-legal team from Mian Munshi Hospital waited at Jinnah Hospital for more than three hours, but the examinations could not be carried out because the investigating police had not completed the required legal formalities.

Police said the post-mortems had been delayed because the victims’ family members had not yet submitted the mandatory identity documents required under the legal procedure.

The examinations will be conducted once all formalities are completed.

According to rescue sources, the women were initially detained by the Operations Wing after a theft complaint was received through the Police Helpline 15.

Following the registration of an FIR, they were handed over to the Investigation Wing.

The sources said both women fell ill while in custody. One died at the Township police station, while the other succumbed at a hospital.

The incident has exposed apparent contradictions between the accounts of the Operations Wing and the Investigation Wing regarding the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The sources said no formal inquiry committee had been constituted so far, while police maintained that an investigation was underway.

Officials said the post-mortem reports would help establish the exact circumstances and cause of the women’s deaths.