Police officials’ pleas dismissed

SC seeks arguments on plea to combine sentences in separate cases

KARACHI: The Supreme Court rejected on Wednesday appeals filed by police officials from Hyderabad region who had been dismissed by the department over allegations of their involvement in criminal activities.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam and comprising Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was hearing the appeals at Supreme Court Karachi registry. Counsel for the petitioners argued that it was fine that the police officials had been dismissed from their posts but their salaries for the duration they have served should be paid to them.

Additional Advocate General maintained that salaries would have also to be paid to the other officials if it was paid to these police officials.

Justice Sajjad Ali Shah remarked that salary for the duration of time these officials have served was their right.

Counsels for the former police officials prayed the court that the unpaid dues from July 2014 to July 2017 be paid to the officials.

Government lawyer maintained that all the police officials appointed illegally since 2012 to 2015 were dismissed. Supreme Court directed to take action against the illegal appointment of police officials and police officials involved in criminal activities.

Counsel for the former police officials maintained that his clients were dismissed without any show-cause notice. The court questioned why the police officials didn't appear in the NTS test again after dismissal.

The court rejected the appeals filed by former police officials while seeking reply regarding unpaid dues from the Government of Sindh.

Arguments sought

Supreme Court sought arguments over the plea filed for combining the sentences awarded in four cases pertaining to bank account frauds.

The same bench was hearing the plea filed by accused Muhammad Hussain at the Supreme Court's Karachi registry. Petitioner's counsel Shahab Sarki argued that sentences were awarded to his client during 2012 and 2013. He has been sentenced to four years of imprisonment each in three cases and seven years of imprisonment in the fourth case.

The court remarked that the sentences awarded can be combined if there are different crimes committed in the same incident but it is not possible if there are different cases at different times.

Contempt plea

A contempt of court plea has been filed again by Advocate Usman Farooq regarding the demolition of properties of five owners including Sardar Nagori. The plea argued that a notice was issued by South Deputy Commissioner to raze the leased settlement present in Mehtab Colony, Soldier Bazaar. Orders were passed for the eviction of houses within seven days.

Five houses were razed just after the contempt of court plea was filed for the first time. Demolition of properties despite lease and stay order given by the court is against the law, said the petitioner. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2019.