Quality of police investigation

IHC has blamed lapses on the part of the prosecution for letting culprits off the hook

Expressing displeasure over the police investigation in a child sexual abuse case, Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court Justice Athar Minallah has set guidelines for inquiry of such cases and made it mandatory for such offences to be investigated by no less than an officer of the rank of assistant superintendent of police. Rejecting a petition seeking bail in a child sexual abuse case, the judge criticised the police investigation and instructed that the standards of such investigations be improved. The petitioner, Zeeshan, had sought bail in a case registered on Aug 20 this year. The complainant has alleged that his child was sexually abused. The judge’s instructions lay bare flaws in police investigations, which reflect poorly on the police’s image. The police charge sheet said charges had been framed against the petitioner but the investigation did not find incriminating material against him. The investigating officer told the court that his investigation was limited to recording the statement of the complainant. The court said the case had not been investigated properly. Later, a DIG while appearing in person in court admitted that the case had not been investigated properly.

The court ordered that in view of the recent increase in reported cases of child abuse, the executive authorities should exercise utmost care in such cases. The court noted, “Due to poor quality of investigation and lapses on part of the prosecution, persons involved in heinous crimes go unpunished… children require extraordinary care and protection, particularly when incidents involving sexual abuse and molestation are reported frequently.”

The court has blamed lapses on the part of the prosecution for letting culprits off the hook. The recent case of a paedophile illustrates this lapse well. The maniac had served jail time in foreign countries but in spite of this he was hired as a government consultant. Justice demands engagement with public affairs with the “eyes of mankind.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2019.

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