Rao Anwar challenges suspension in SHC
Former SSP pleads to the high court to declare his suspension orders illegal
SSP Malir Rao Anwar. PHOTO: MUNAWAR A KHAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Rao Anwar, who was suspended for illegally arresting MQM leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan, on Monday challenged his suspension in the Sindh High Court (SHC).
According to Anwar's petition, the raid was conducted to arrest Izhar and was done in accordance with law. "All legal formalities were fulfilled," he stated in the petition.
High drama as MQM leader arrested, then freed
Cclaiming that his suspension orders were illegal, Anwar pleaded to the SHC to suspend the order and allow him to resume duty.
Last week, Izhar was arrested and released five hours later in a rare move by the Sindh police that triggered a political firestorm in Karachi. Both the provincial chief minister and the prime minister intervened in the high-profile arrest by SSP Rao Anwar in a clear effort to ease the tension between the government and MQM.
The drama began with the news of a police raid at the residence of Izhar, who also leads the opposition in the Sindh Assembly. The MQM leader along with his party colleagues was in a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah when he was informed about the raid.
When Izhar rushed back to his house in Buffer Zone, he was taken into custody by the Malir SSP over his alleged involvement in the May 12, 2007 carnage.
MQM leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan granted bail in 22 hate speech cases
Before SSP Anwar had shifted Izhar to the Gadap City police station for interrogation, the Sindh CM once again took notice and suspended the police officer for “misusing his authority”.
A Sindh police statement said the SSP has been suspended on immediate basis for misusing his authority and violating discipline as he had neither taken permission from the assembly speaker prior to the arrest nor did he inform the police chief or the zonal DIG. Anwar did not even inform the District Central police or the deputy commissioner before launching the raid within their jurisdiction.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Rao Anwar, who was suspended for illegally arresting MQM leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan, on Monday challenged his suspension in the Sindh High Court (SHC).
According to Anwar's petition, the raid was conducted to arrest Izhar and was done in accordance with law. "All legal formalities were fulfilled," he stated in the petition.
High drama as MQM leader arrested, then freed
Cclaiming that his suspension orders were illegal, Anwar pleaded to the SHC to suspend the order and allow him to resume duty.
Last week, Izhar was arrested and released five hours later in a rare move by the Sindh police that triggered a political firestorm in Karachi. Both the provincial chief minister and the prime minister intervened in the high-profile arrest by SSP Rao Anwar in a clear effort to ease the tension between the government and MQM.
The drama began with the news of a police raid at the residence of Izhar, who also leads the opposition in the Sindh Assembly. The MQM leader along with his party colleagues was in a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah when he was informed about the raid.
When Izhar rushed back to his house in Buffer Zone, he was taken into custody by the Malir SSP over his alleged involvement in the May 12, 2007 carnage.
MQM leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan granted bail in 22 hate speech cases
Before SSP Anwar had shifted Izhar to the Gadap City police station for interrogation, the Sindh CM once again took notice and suspended the police officer for “misusing his authority”.
A Sindh police statement said the SSP has been suspended on immediate basis for misusing his authority and violating discipline as he had neither taken permission from the assembly speaker prior to the arrest nor did he inform the police chief or the zonal DIG. Anwar did not even inform the District Central police or the deputy commissioner before launching the raid within their jurisdiction.