LAHORE: The family of a Christian couple which was lynched and later burnt by a mob over alleged blasphemy has refused to accept the police or the state as complainant in the FIR and filed a petition in the Kasur sessions court seeking to become complainant in the case.
Sajjad Masih and his wife Shama Bibi – brick kiln workers from Chak-59 of Kot Radha Kishan, Kasur – were brutally killed for allegedly desecrating the Holy Quran.
“We don’t accept the FIR. While we are alive, we should be allowed to become the complainant,” said Mukhtiar Masih, father of the late Shama Bibi. In the FIR, a police official – SI Muhammad Ali from the Chowki Factory area of Kot Radha Kishan – is named as the complainant.
On Friday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appointed Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael as the focal person in the case.
“We don’t recognise the police official or the minister as true complainant,” Mukhtiar Masih told The Express Tribune. “The police official may be approached by the accused and may be offered favours. On the other hand, the minister represents the government and we doubt the government will pursue this case whole-heartedly,” he added.
The court admitted the petition for hearing on November 10 (Monday).
Aneeqa M Anthony, the lawyer who filed the petition and is providing legal assistance to the family, said that every offense in the country is against the state, which can become party but it cannot deny the right of an aggrieved family to become complainant in a case.
“This is why we have filed the petition in the court. Moreover, we want some more information to be included in the FIR,” she added. “What will happen to the case if the police official gets transferred or backs off?”
Another legal expert Azhar Siddiq said it was the right of the accused to become complainant and party in the case. He said the government could not deny the family this right.
Federal Minister Kamran Michael said at the time of the incident local Christian community leaders and rights activists had a consensus that the police should become complainant in this case.
“Sometimes people are pressurised to withdraw such cases or they make compromise. The prime minister wants to make an example of the culprits. But if the family has gone to the court and the court gives any direction in this regard, then we will comply,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2014.
COMMENTS (8)
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@Muhammad Rizwan Ali:
Actually, this is one case where the police cannot be blamed. The reports I've read tell about the police trying to stop the mob, but were beaten themselves and had to stand down.
@Muhammad Rizwan Ali. Look at the situation wisely and without any bias. The mad crowed of over thousand people took no time to get the victims and burnt them. There were only four policemen present who tried to intervene but huge crowed beat them up. Injured Policemen were in no position to save victims nor had time to call for back up. The back up would have taken hours to reach at spot. In Qadri's case, small police contingent which tried to implement law was beaten twice. It was back up which arrived hours later, fought criminals and killed them. By the way, why you are talking about Model Town incident. Qadri has taken blood money and fled. Victim families should contact him for their share.
This is the real tragedy that Victims also don't want permanent solution of the problem. It was blessing for all oppressed that State had come out to take its responsibility but greed has won and justice for all has lost.
Shabaz Sharif atleast find and called thoses police personals, who must be on duty in that area, why they did not rescue burning couple, they can shoot Qadri people, why can not shoot culprits..
Some amends can be made and this frightening trend towards mob brutality halted if the Imam who incited a sectarian mob is charged, apprehended, tried and locked up to the maximum allowed by law. A few score if not hundreds of the murderers should also face the gallows and life imprisonment. The Police cannot escape responsibility. Its role has to be scrutinized and responsible officers jailed. Perjury, wherever discovered must also be severely punished instead of being ignored as in the past.
The family shouldn't doubt the good intentions of the govt in becoming the complainant of the case. In recent past the families of gojra incident victims made compromise with the jailed attackers drawing heavy criticism for the govt domestically and internationally therefore I believe the govt made the right decision to ensure the doors are closed for a monetary compromise when the govt has taken responsibility for the education and health of their three children and announced compensation of Rs 5 million and 10 acres of land. As a complainant the govt will be held fully responsible for pursuing the case to its logical conclusion therefore I believe the aggrieved family should review its decision
Hope they get justice soon..
Go Nawaz Go