Blasphemy accused Christian man dies in Pak jail, police claims 'suicide'

Lahore, Sep. 16 (ANI): A Christian man who was held on blasphemy charges is reported to have committed suicide in a Pakistani prison, while human rights activists are smelling foul play in his death.

Masih, 25, was arrested on Friday after hundreds of protesters accused him of desecrating the holy Quran and attacked a Catholic church in the Sambrial district near the Indian border

"Masih, being accused of blasphemy, was put in a separate cell where he committed suicide by using a string," the Daily Times quoted Sialkot District Jail Superintendent Farooq Lodhi, as saying.

Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Kamran Michael said the police had not handled the case properly.

"I have seen the body and there were torture marks on it," he said.

Meanwhile, Masih's family has claimed that he was tortured to death by the jail staff.

According to a news channel report, local Christians had snatched his body from the police and shifted it to a private hospital for an autopsy.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairwoman Asma Jahangir has demanded registration of a murder case against police officials concerned.

"This is death in custody and the police authorities are responsible," said. (ANI)