Perveen Rehman’s murder case: Right groups ask SC to take action against police

Say police officers involved in investigation of case manipulated investigation and tried to covered up facts.

ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and 11 other petitioners moved a plea in the apex court on Monday, requesting it to initiate disciplinary action against police officers involved in manipulation of the investigation into murder of Karachi-based social activist Perveen Rehman.

The application, moved by the petitioner’s counsel, Raheel Kamran Khan, states that district and sessions judge (West), Karachi revealed in his inquiry report that the police officers involved in the investigation of the case manipulated the investigation and instead of making an honest and genuine effort to identify and arrest the perpetrators, tried to covered them up.

“Their negligence and/or reluctance to probe into the incident by conveniently putting the blame on the members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, is evident,” it says.

The petition says that by manipulating the probe – as found in the inquiry report submitted by the district and sessions judge (West), Karachi – the police officers, including the Investigation Officer Raja Ulfat Hussain, not only acted in clear violation of the law but also violated the fundamental rights of citizens.

“Their actions amount to professional misconduct for which they are liable to be subjected to appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with law,” it contends.

Sumaira Malik’s review petition

Separately, hearing a petition of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Sumaira Malik, who is facing a life-long ban for using a forged degree to contest polls, the Supreme Court decided to examine the matter regarding the replacement of counsel in the review petition.

A five-member bench of the apex court – headed by Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali –appointed Makhdoom Ali Khan as amicus curiae in this matter.

Itikhar Gilani had represented Sumaira Malik in her forged degree case but she has filed review petition through Asma Jahangir against the court’s October 28, 2013 judgment that slapped a life ban on her contesting future elections.

Asma Jahangir appearing before the bench objected to the SC’s Rule, which disallowed any petitioner to replace his counsel in review petition. She said this restriction was in violation of Article 10-A of the Constitution and should be reviewed.