The Sindh High Court (SHC), while ruling on a plea seeking disclosure of lawsuits filed against PTI leader Haleem Adil Sheikh, ordered the provincial police chief on Tuesday to ensure the law enforcers operate in accordance with the law.
The court stated in its ruling that Sheikh, as a Pakistani national, is entitled to fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution. The court expressed concern over the inadequate application of law by the Sindh police.
It is perplexing that Sheikh was re-arrested in a manner similar to previous ones, indicating that the police intended to keep him detained, the court stated. Despite being granted bail, Sheikh faced re-arrest by police, raising questions about the motives behind these actions.
It appears that the police are determined to keep Sheikh incarcerated for an extended period, the court stated and reminded the police that public trust in the criminal justice system is built on fair and just actions. The repeated arrests and actions by the Sindh police are eroding this trust.
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The IG Sindh is urged to ensure that law enforcement agencies operate in accordance with the law. The need for an independent police force is crucial to rebuild public trust. The Sindh police must be transparent and accountable in their actions to restore confidence in the criminal justice system.
Meanwhile, the judicial magistrate for District South formally charged Ali Zaidi, a leader of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, and Haleem Adil Sheikh in a case involving Hassaan Niazi's escape from the City Court.
Both Zaidi and Sheikh were present in the court when it issued charges against them. However, both pleaded not guilty to the charges. Subsequently, the court scheduled the next hearing for January 6 and summoned witnesses. The incident, involving Hassaan Niazi's escape from the City Court, led to the registration of a case against the accused at the City Court police station.
Separately, a district court remanded two suspects in police custody and sent seven others to jail on judicial remand in connection with cases related to aerial firing on New Year's eve. Police presented the suspects before different districts and sessions judges at the Karachi City Court.
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Rehmatullah, the accused in a case registered at Shahra-e-Noor Jahan police station, was granted a two-day physical remand. In another case filed at Khawaja Ajmer Nagri police station, Shamshad and Tariq were sent to jail on judicial remand.
Similarly, Shahzad was handed over to police for a three-day physical remand concerning the case registered at Taimuria police station. The investigating officer stated that a child named Zaid was injured by the firing of Shahzad. Four other suspects, named Tamiz, Khalid, Israr, and Shafi, involved in aerial firing in Saeedabad were sent to jail on judicial remand.
In a separate case, Abid was sent to jail on judicial remand in connection with the case registered at Methadar police station. The judges sought progress reports from police investigators at next hearings.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2024.
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