LHC seeks details of cases against former finance minister, family

Plea asks high court to declare FIRs 'illegal, unconstitutional'

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday sought details regarding the cases registered against former finance minister Syed Salman Ali Shah and his family after chaos erupted following the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan.

As proceedings commenced, Shah’s counsel advocate Azhar Siddique told the court that the petitioner’s daughter was arrested but the details of the case were not divulged, to which LHC’s Justice Anwaarul Haq Pannun questioned what the issue was with the provision of the case details.

Siddique maintained that the current ongoings had never been witnessed before, to which Justice Pannun remarked that the wrongdoers would face consequences.

The counsel argued that on May 19, the petitioner himself, Syed Jarrar Ali Shah – his brother – and Jehanzeb Amin – his son-in-law – were taken into “illegal custody” by the police during a raid conducted at their residence. He added that the police officials refused to answer any query when details of the case were demanded.

The lawyer contended that the non-provision of the first information reports (FIRs) and detention orders against the petitioner and his family members, and the concealing of FIR numbers, police stations, districts, dates and province, “clearly illustrated” that the respondents intended to arrest them without giving them the opportunity to get relief from concerned courts of law. He continued that this was in violation of the Constitutional Rights of the Citizens provided under Article 4, 10-A, 25 of the Constitution.

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He also submitted that on the instructions and connivance of the incumbent federal government, various FIRs were registered against Shah and his family which was a violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.

Siddique added that the provision of all FIRs and safeguarding the petitioner’s family from any humiliation and bypass of criminal natural justice was only possible by the directions passed by this court being the Constitutional Court and custodian of fundamental rights.

He requested the court to accept the petition and declare the actions of the respondents illegal, unlawful, unjustified and unconstitutional. He added that copies of the case details be provided to them as well in the interest of justice, equity and fair play.