Inquiry finds NHMP officials guilty

Privacy of ATC judge was breached by video that went viral on social media

LAHORE:

The National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) in an initial inquiry found its two officials guilty and recommended departmental inquiry against them for putting the life of a judge at risk, causing undue inconvenience and embarrassment through their unprofessional and irrational approach.

The inquiry found that sub-inspectors Ali Haider and Shakir Ali failed in assessing the intensity and sensitivity of the matter. The privacy of the Anti-Terrorism Court judge was breached by recording video which went viral on social media, the inquiry report added.

The report further revealed that no doubt the officials intercepted the judge and his police escort’s vehicles lawfully but were found to be at fault on eight grounds.

No challan was issued on the pretext that “wilful disobedience” challaning clause was not feasible for a judge and as per statement of police officer Haider. The vehicle of another man (lawyer by profession) was not challaned over joining the same motorway that had been closed due to dense fog.

The video of a certain part of conversation was leaked to social media which brought embarrassment to the department.

On November 28, 2022 the wireless operator received a call that two vehicles had joined the LSM from Narowal-Muridke Interchange despite the motorway was closed due to dense fog.

At which one of officer (Ali Haider) intercepted two vehicles (one judge’s vehicle and the second police escort vehicle). It was revealed that ATC Judge Ijaz Buttar along was travelling with his five nieces to visit spring festival at Jilani Park.

The said police officer asked about the getting on the motorway while it was closed due to dense fog. The judge replied that the police pilot made a mistake and as he was travelling with his child relative, therefore, the driver should be challaned and he should be allowed to leave the spot and go forward from the Toll Plaza, where his Lahore police escort was already present.

In the meantime, another official (Shakir Ali) intervened and ordered the said driver to turn back the vehicle and go to the same point from where they had gotten on the Motorway. At this juncture, the ATC judge said that his Lahore police escort was also there and he should be allowed to go forward as the road after the toll plaza, was clear for traffic. The patrol officer remained adamant that the judge had to go back and the vehicles could not be allowed to go forward. Interestingly, the challan was not issued by the officers.

However, after probing the matter, the authority concerned suspended the officers and issued them show-cause notices with directions to submit their reply within seven days.

In his statement SI Shakir stated that the incident did not take place in his sub-beat. He attended it as a co-officer was intended to go to washroom. He admitted that he asked the judge that he may wait till the improvement of visibility to proceed further and the judge did not offer to be penalised.

He said neither he made a movie nor shared it on social media.

Meanwhile, SI Haider Ali in his statement said the ATC judge forcefully entered on Motorway from Muridke Toll Plaza. He stopped the vehicle at main Toll Plaza. The vehicle of the judge departed towards its destination despite the low visibility on the motorway.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2022.