Grenade explosion: SC judge orders strict implementation of safety measures at ATCs

He also visited the ATC-III in Clifton, where the accidental explosion took place

KARACHI: Supreme Court judge Justice Amir Hani Muslim, who is the administrative judge for the anti-terrorism courts (ATCs), directed on Saturday the Sindh IG to ensure strict implementation of safety measures, including protocols for production of case properties before the ATCs.

Earlier, the apex court's judge paid a visit to the ATC-III in Clifton, where a hand grenade had accidentally exploded inside the courtroom during the hearing of case. A policeman and a court clerk were injured in the explosion. The Sindh High Court's administrative judge for the ATCs, Justice Muhammad Farooq Shah, accompanied Justice Muslim.

Later, he held a meeting with the home secretary, Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja, Karachi AIG Mushtaq Mahar, the prosecutor-general, the additional advocate-general and others to review the ATCs' performance, at the SC's Registry.



At the meeting, IG Khawaja presented a report of investigation into Monday's explosion inside the ATC courtroom. He said that the investigation had concluded that it was an accidental explosion that took place due to the negligence of police officials, who had been proceeded against.

Justice Hani directed the police chief to ensure that in order to avoid recurrence of such incidents at ATCs in the future, safety protocol be strictly implemented regarding production of case properties before the ATCs.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2016.