SC seeks explanation for lack of action against senior police officers

Apex court directs home secretary, IG to appear in person at next hearing

KARACHI: The Supreme Court (SC) has summoned the provincial home secretary and the inspector-general (IG) of police to appear in person before the court to offer an explanation for the lack of action against senior police officers with patchy service records.

A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed, summoned the home secretary and the provincial police chief on Wednesday after finding that no action had been taken against the senior officers despite their involvement in criminal activities. The bench was hearing a case relating to inaction against the cops with patchy service records.

The bench has repeatedly directed the provincial government and IG to take action across the board against the police officers involved in criminal activities who are still enjoying field postings.

On July 26, the apex court directed the provincial chief secretary to submit a report showing what action had been taken against senior officers of the police department who had patchy service records.



During Wednesday's proceedings, the legal AIG along with an additional advocate-general filed a report based on action that had been initiated against the officers of police force following scrutiny initiated by a committee set up by the SC.

After going through the report, the judges noted that action was taken only against officers of junior ranks but none of the senior officers faced any action.

Justice Ahmed inquired why no action was taken against the police officers belonging to grade 17 and above. The bench remarked that no favour to police officers having patchy service records would be tolerated.

The additional advocate-general informed the court that the IG was not authorised to take action against the officers in grade 17 and above as the home secretary had the authority to take any action against officers in senior ranks.

The bench directed the home secretary and IG to appear in court on the next date of hearing to explain why no action had been taken against senior officers having patchy service records.

 

Scrutiny report

The scrutiny committee head appointed by the SC, AIG Sanaullah Abbasi, informed the court on the last hearing that the committee had scrutinised service records of 109,320 personnel so far, of which 12,361 personnel were scrutinised over suspicion of having patchy service.



He informed the court that penalty was recommended for 352 police officers for their patchy service records, while 1,182 officers were cleared of charges against them. According to the AIG, 1,534 police officers were summoned for personal hearings.

AIG Abbasi told the court that on recommendation of the committee, the competing authority had taken action against the personnel having patchy records after fulfilling codal formalities, such as issuing them show-cause notices and giving them second opportunity to defend themselves. Seventeen officers had been dismissed from service, 122 sent on compulsory retirement while 11 officers opted for voluntary retirement, AIG said.