Sleuths' performance remains abysmal

The performance of the Rawalpindi district police in submitting complete challans to the courts for cases registered in the first nine months of this year has been extremely disappointing. The SSP Investigation has proven to be completely ineffective in matters of detection.

A total of 30,737 cases were registered at 30 police stations in the district between January 1 and September 30. However, the investigation police were able to submit complete challans in only 9,762 cases to the courts.

After it failed to submit challans in 20,975 cases in time, the suspects involved in serious cases secured bail and escaped as the challans were not presented in courts.

The data from five police stations in the Murree district isn't included in the official statistics. Female investigation officers (IOs) from the Women's Police Station outperformed their male counterparts. During the above-mentioned period, the Women's Police Station registered a total of 12 cases, out of which complete challans in 10 cases were submitted to the courts.

Throughout the year, due to political duties, political raids, round-the-clock political duties at roads and intersections and exhausting house raids, the working and performance of the investigation wing of all police stations has been completely paralyzed.

During the period, the highest number of 2,852 cases was registered by New Town police, but complete challans were submitted in only 651 cases. Sadiqabad police registered a total of 2,784 cases, but submitted complete challans for only 651 cases. Similarly, Taxila police registered a total of 2,288 cases but submitted complete challans in 1,097 cases.

Interestingly, the complete challans submitted by the police pertained to minor cases such as dengue larvae violations, electricity theft, weapon recovery, drugs, alcohol recovery, gambling, traffic accidents, and minor scuffles. However, complete challans for major cases such as kidnapping for ransom, abduction of women, rape, gang rape, murder, robbery, and major thefts were not submitted. Due to incomplete challans in these serious cases, the accused managed to secure bail and went into hiding.

According to the law, the investigation teams are required to submit challans (charge sheets) to the courts within 14 days. However, the IOs often present incomplete and temporary challans to appease their bosses and even fail to submit complete challans for six to eight months.

Investigation police officials argue that political duties have significantly increased over the past few years, making it difficult to submit timely challans. There are no funds provided for expenses related to the challans or for vehicles needed to arrest suspects, they add. For forensic tests, the IOs have to travel to Lahore's lab, but no expenses are provided for this either. The funds given are insufficient even to cover stationery costs.

Police officials suggest establishing labs at every divisional level and separating the investigation wing officials from regular police duties. Investigation teams should not be burdened with arresting political workers or conducting raids, they opine.

Criminal lawyer Shan Zaib Khan is of the view that the two-week period for submitting challans is too short and should be extended to 30 or 45 days. Forensic lab reports should be finalised within 30 days, he says and adds that a trial can only begin once the challan is complete. He also called for urgent reforms in this process.