Pakistan probing village ordeal

Pakistani officials are probing reports that a tribal council ordered a man to spend time in freezing water to prove that his son was innocent of stealing.

Khuda Baksh had his hands and legs tied and was ordered to spend 10 minutes neck deep in a freezing pond in Punjab province, reports say.

After he held out for only two minutes tribal elders imposed a fine.

Correspondents say trial by ordeal, though illegal, is common in parts of rural Pakistan.

Khuda Baksh was also told to walk about 25 meters (80 ft) though the pond in Punjab's Lakha village, reports said.

Under some tribal rules, village elders can order a person accused of minor crimes to walk on hot coals or through cold water.