‘Unblemished character a must for joining police’

LHC rejects plea of former employee denied recruitment to new post

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court’s Justice Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal dismissed a former police official’s plea against denial of appointment with an observation that for recruitment in the institution, the incumbents should have an unblemished character.

Justice Iqbal made clear that for the personnel of the disciplined force, honesty, loyalty, integrity, intelligence and competence were sinequanon in order to strengthen the public trust.

In order to achieve such objectives, the police had the jurisdiction to formulate a befitting policy to select the most suitable, competent, efficient, honest and trustworthy candidates having an unblemished record. Similarly, the appointing authority is fully empowered by law to refuse appointment of a candidate who is found involved in criminal cases and has an unclean record.

Petitioner Ali Hasnain had challenged an order passed on January 9, 2020 by the additional inspector general of Punjab Police Special Branch.

The petitioner stated that he had been appointed as an operator in BS-5-on October 13, 2012 in the technical cadre of the special branch in Lahore on a contract basis. The contract was extended from time to time till April 2017 but was not further extended.

Meanwhile, in October 2015, the Punjab Public Service Commission advertised vacant posts of supervisor in BS-14 i. the same cadre. The petitioner was selected on September 26, 2019 but his appointment letter was withheld due to his involvement in a criminal case.

The counsel had argued during the hearing that the record revealed that the petitioner had failed to fulfill the eligibility criteria as he was found involved in criminal cases. The public service commission, while recommending the petitioner along with other candidates, had mentioned that its recommendation was subject to certain conditions. The counsel stated that the department had received many complaints of extortion during his service and his contract had not been extended.

A complaint was also filed by the SSP of Special Branch in Sheikhupura Region regarding habitual irresponsible behaviour of the petitioner and misuse of his official status.

In addition, on the complaint of a citizen, Munir Ahmad, an FIR was registered against him on charges of extortion and sexually abusing boys on September 21, 2013 in the Faizabad police station. During investigation, the petitioner was found involved in the offences, but he was acquitted on the basis of a compromise with the complainant.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2022.