The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought details of the action against the police personnel involved in the sale of gutka on a petition seeking action against the cancerogenic tobacco chew and other harmful substances.
While appearing before a two-judge bench, headed by Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry, the petitioner’s attorney Muzamil Mumtaz Mayo Advocate stated on Saturday that police were conniving with the sellers of these cancerogenic tobacco chew as they released the accused who secured a bail from a court and also returned their gutka-making machine.
The Investigation Officer of Zaman Town police station changed the case property of FIR No. 644/2018 and released the original machine by taking bribe, he alleged.
The Judicial Magistrate 26 East has abused his powers, the petitioner claimed. The accused are absconding from the court but the gutka-making machine has been handed over to the bailiff. Action should be taken against the Judicial Magistrate.
A report should be sought from the Secretary Law, SHC Registrar, MIT 2, District & Sessions Judge East, the petitioner stated. A report should be sought from the IG Sindh on how many case properties are kept in the police stations of Karachi.
Gutka, Mainpuri and other addictive substances are cancerogenic, but police invoke bailable provisions in such cases. There is a need for new legislation to make these cases non-bailable offense. The IG Sindh, DIGs, and SSP should be directed to register FIRs in such cases under Section 336-B of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2022.
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