# Police abuse? That is a crime too. > Yes. A police officer who searches, seizes, arrests or tortures without lawful cause commits an offence punishable with up to five years (Police Order 2002, Art.156). Delay in producing an arrested person before a court is also an offence (Art.157). - Topic: Criminal law - For: Citizens - A 11-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/police-abuse-that-is-a-crime-too - Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-12 ## Myth or fact? What people are afraid to ask. - **Myth: Police can do anything. You cannot complain against them.** - **Fact: A police officer who searches, seizes, arrests or tortures without lawful cause commits an offence: up to five years (Police Order 2002, Art.156).** ## The rule in the law. Article 156, Police Order 2002. > "Whoever, being a police officer– (a) without lawful authority, or reasonable cause, enters or searches … any building …; (b) vexatiously and unnecessarily seizes the property of any person; (c) vexatiously and unnecessarily detains, searches or arrests any person; or (d) inflicts torture or violence to any person in his custody; shall … be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to five years and with fine." (Police Order, 2002 · Article 156) ## More offences. Police are not above the law. - **Breach of law** Wilful breach or neglect of any law or order: up to 3 years (Art.155(1)(c)). A Justice of the Peace can order an FIR (2021 PCrLJ 1779). - **Forced confession** Hurt to extort a confession: up to 10 years on top (PPC s.337-K). - **Other laws too** Officers can also be prosecuted under any other law (Art.183; 2021 PCrLJ 1779). ## Quick quiz. A midnight raid. Guess first, then swipe for the answer. - **A. Nowhere, police are immune** - **B. The Justice of the Peace (s.22-A)** - **C. The union council** ## Answer: B. It has worked. Two High Court cases. - **2019 MLD 7** Midnight raid, women beaten, gold and cash missing: the Justice of the Peace rightly saw a cognizable offence under Art.156 and directed the police to act (Peshawar). - **2024 PCrLJ 1669** Police illegally confined a man, then built a case against him. The court directed an FIR against the ASI and SHO (Lahore). ## Myth or fact? The "we will keep you" threat. - **Myth: Once they arrest me, they can hold me as long as they like.** - **Fact: An officer who vexatiously and unnecessarily delays producing an arrested person before a court commits an offence: up to one year (Art.157).** ## Do not wait. Article 172, Police Order 2002. - **Six months** A prosecution or suit over an act done under colour of duty is not entertained if filed more than six months after the act. - **Write it down** Date, time, names, vehicle numbers and witnesses, the same day. - **Get examined** Injuries? Get a medical report at once. ## If it happens. Three steps, in order. - **Complain in writing** To the senior police officer. Keep a copy and the receipt. - **Justice of the Peace** Under s.22-A(6) for non-registration, or neglect, failure or excess by police. - **High Court** For illegal detention, a habeas petition (see our writs post). ## Trouble with the police? Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it. - **Police entered my house without a warrant and took my phone. What can I do in Multan?** - **Draft a 22-A application against police officials for illegal detention.** ## What this does not mean - Article 156 punishes entry, search, seizure, arrest or detention done without lawful authority or reasonable cause, or vexatiously and unnecessarily, and torture in custody. A lawful arrest or search is not an offence. - Time matters. A prosecution or suit over an act done under colour of duty is not entertained if filed more than six months after the act (Art.172). - The Justice of the Peace route is for non registration, or neglect, failure or excess by police (s.22-A(6)). Illegal detention goes to the High Court as a habeas petition. ## Questions people ask ### Can I complain against police in Pakistan? Yes. A police officer who searches, seizes, arrests or tortures without lawful cause commits an offence punishable with up to five years and fine (Police Order 2002, Art.156). ### What is 22-A CrPC used for against police? You can apply to the Justice of the Peace under s.22-A(6) for non registration, or neglect, failure or excess by police. In 2019 MLD 7 the Justice of the Peace directed police to act after a midnight raid. ### What is the punishment for police torture in Pakistan? Inflicting torture or violence on a person in custody is punishable with up to five years and fine (Art.156). Causing hurt to extort a confession can bring up to 10 years on top (PPC s.337-K). ### Can police keep me without producing me in court? An officer who vexatiously and unnecessarily delays producing an arrested person before a court commits an offence punishable with up to one year (Art.157). ### Is there a deadline to take action against police? Yes. A case over an act done under colour of duty is not entertained if filed more than six months after the act (Art.172). Write down details the same day and get a medical report for any injury. ## Sources - Police Order, 2002 · Article 156: Penalty for vexatious entry, search, arrest, seizure of property, torture, etc. --- Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. FAI Media is part of FAI Legal (https://failegal.site), research on Pakistani statutes and judgments. Free to watch and read.