Rise in Lahore street crimes irks Supreme Court

Top court upholds dismissal of constable for ‘corruption’

LAHORE:

Lahore has become a hub of street crimes, so there is no room for criminal record holder officials in the police, Supreme Court Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked during the hearing of a case by a division bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed in Lahore Registry.

The court upheld the dismissal of a constable from service over his involvement in abduction for ransom, corruption and other criminal activities. Earlier, the Services Tribunal had handed in a decision in favour of Lower Mall Constable Sarfraz.

Later, the government challenged the tribunal’s decision and the country’s top court set aside the tribunal’s decision and accepted the government plea. A senior police official told the court that the accused constable had been involved in abduction for ransom and other criminal cases as well.

The additional prosecutor general (APG) told the court that three cases had been registered against the constable. He implored the court that Constable Sarfraz had also been absent from work for a long period.

On the other hand, the constable’s counsel told the court that allegations levelled against the cop had nothing to do with reality. CJ Gulzar asked, “Why the inquiry was not made when there are allegations ofserious nature?” Justice Ijaz remarked that the report was summoned within 15 days after holding inquiry on the matter.

The constable’s counsel argued that inquiry was not the matter. He prayed the court that constable’s job be restored. Finally, the bench, rejecting the plea to restore the constable’s job, dismissed him from his service.