Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday expressed its displeasure at the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) raiding a journalist’s house on an ambiguous notice.
The court remarked that it was not a joke to raid private residences purposelessly, adding that the court will not allow violation of basic rights.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard a petition filed by local journalist Rana Arshad in which he challenged FIA's raid on his house. CJ Minallah asked why FIA had issued a vague notice to Arshad without a date and purpose for the summon.
“Do you realise the repercussions of a raid? The neighbours see it and think why it is happening. You are making an individual a criminal,” the court remarked. An FIA official said investigations were launched on directions of a deputy director, and they visited the house to verify the address.
At this, CJ Minallah remarked that the agency must take action on a complaint but it was inappropriate for an officer to raid a house in such a manner.
The court ordered FIA to include the petitioner in the probe and adjourned the hearing for 10 days.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2020.
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