Fake Encounter: Complainant summoned by LHC

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) chief justice on Monday summoned the complainant on an FIR against two constables involved in the Nishtar Colony fake encounter case wherein a youth was killed by the police. Seema Bibi, mother of Constable Asif, had filed the petition in LHC which sought a change of investigation. She prayed that a fresh investigation in the case be ordered and an officer of DIG rank be entrusted with the investigation. Representing the petitioner, Advocate Aftab Ahmad Bajwa argued that Shahbaz Butt was killed by Nishtar Colony SHO and in-charge investigation but they had not been named in the case. He said Constables Asif and Qadir had only fired shots in the air on the SHO’s directions. He contended further that the encounter was held on the order of the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO). The counsel produced mobile phone record of the police officers present on the scene and alleged that the CCPO and other high-ups were in contact with them when the boy was killed.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2011.