Law and order: Commissioners to get magisterial powers, says SHC

The deputy commissioners can now order the arrest of violators and impose fines on them.


Our Correspondent June 27, 2013
This time around the court has given these powers for an indefinite period of time. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE

KARACHI:


The Sindh High Court has decided to give special magisterial powers to deputy commissioners across the province so they can keep an eye on encroachments and price hikes.


Usually these powers are accorded for special occasions, such as during the month of Ramzan, but this time around the court has given these powers for an indefinite period of time. SHC registrar Abdul Malik Gaddi explained that this step was taken after the city commissioner requested the SHC chief justice.

SHC administrative committee, headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, decided to award these powers to the commissioners to check offences, such as hike in the prices of essential commodities, profiteering, illegal encroachments, etc.

The deputy commissioners can now order the arrest of violators and impose fines on them. However, the powers of trial will rest with the judicial magistrates with whom the commissioners would be legally bound to submit final charge sheets.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2013.

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