SC orders reinvestigation of cop’s dismissal

Islam claims that he was not given a chance to defend himself, requests court to declare investigation invalid

KARACHI: The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the Sindh Police on Friday to reinvestigate the case pertaining to the dismissal of Counter Terrorism Department Inspector Tariq Islam over allegations of his involvement in an incident of kidnapping for ransom.

A three-member bench, headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, issued the directive while hearing a plea filed by Islam.

Islam claimed that he was "not given a chance to speak and defend himself during the investigation," and requested the court to declare the investigation invalid and issue orders for restoring him to his position.

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At this, the government lawyer informed the court that solid evidence was available to prove Islam's involvement in the abduction of a citizen. He said that Islam was posted in the area where the incident took place and it was revealed during investigation that he was in contact with persons accused of the kidnapping. "He was dismissed from his post on the basis of evidence," the lawyer added.

Concluding the hearing, the court directed the Sindh Police to reinvestigate the case and then make a decision in accordance with the law.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2020.