Inept investigations allow people to go free: CJP tells AIG Punjab

Apex court also summons head of Punjab Forensic Lab, hearing adjourned till Sunday

ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) summoned Additional Inspector General (AIG) Punjab to the Supreme Court today to ask for updates regarding the eight-year-old rape and murder case, reported Express News.

Starting off the hearing, the CJP asked AIG Abubakr Khudabaksh what the situation was regarding the case.

"What is the situation, please inform us. The entire nation is disappointed that there has been no progress even after so many days. Would you like to tell the chamber about your investigation?"



Answering this, AIG Punjab said that in a year, there had been eight cases similar.

The CJP remarked that inept investigation allows people to go free. "Police does not take guidance from judicial decisions. We see the same mistakes being made in every case. Why should the police and judges not be in communication," he asked.

The CJP further said he does not want to see the suspect to be caught and die in a police encounter. "If the case is not solved, it would be a failure on part of the government and the police."

The AIG informed the apex court that the suspect is a serial killer and therefore he could not give a timeframe as to when he would be caught. He further said there was only one survivor in the previous cases.

The CJP remarked that millions of rupees were spent on the Safe City Plan. He further commented the SC would stop the Lahore High Court (LHC) from hearing the case because they cannot take suo moto notice.



During the hearing, the government lawyer said that over 1,100 people were questioned and DNA samples from 400 people were taken.

The apex court summoned Punjab Forensic Lab head and the investigation team along with the Joint Investigation Team (JIT). The hearing of the case has been adjourned till Sunday and will be heard at the Lahore registrary.

Eight-year-old Z*'s body was found in a rubbish dump on January 9 after she has gone missing from her home five days prior. Her death and rape sparked protests in Kasur and cities nationwide.