SHC orders inquiry against CTD officials accused of demanding bribes

Bench orders submission of report within one month

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed on Wednesday the Counter-Terrorism Department's (CTD) DIG to probe into the allegations that his subordinates were harassing suspects for bribes.

Headed by Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, the two-judge bench also directed the CTD DIG to submit a report within one month.
The petition was filed by Sarmad Siddiqui, who said the CTD staff had taken him into custody in connection with the terrorist attack on the Karachi Airport. He stated the trial was conducted by a military court, which had convicted four of the main accused in the incident.

However, the petitioner alleged that CTD officials were harassing him by booking him in false cases in order to force him to give bribes.
Siddiqui alleged that sub-inspector Azam posted at CTD Garden, who was the investigation officer, had forced him to pay bribe.



Meanwhile, another petitioner, Naeem Patel, alleged the CTD officials during a raid took his brother, Iqbal Patel, into custody. Patel claimed the officials also took away gold ornaments worth millions of rupees.
The judges expressed their concern and shock over the state of affairs in the CTD and summoned SSP Munir Sheikh to explain the serious allegations levelled by the petitioners.

Later, CTD DIG Amir Farooqui appeared in court.

CJ Sheikh came down hard on Farooqui over the poor state of affairs in the department under his command.



The court directed Farooqui to investigate the allegations levelled by the petitioners against his subordinate officials, including SI Azeem, and furnish a report in the court within one month.

Meanwhile, the court also directed the trial court concerned to expeditiously decide the case against the petitioner within three weeks and submit a compliance report.