LHC grills cops over inaction in kidnapping case of MNA's son

LAHORE:

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa of the Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought an explanation from SP Investigation Bushra Nisar for failing to present substantial evidence in the investigation into the disappearance of Ahsan Riaz Fatyana, the son of PTI MNA Riaz Fatyana.

Justice Bajwa expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of progress and ordered the DIG Investigation to either produce Ahsan Riaz Fatyana or provide significant updates on the case by October 25.

The case stems from a petition filed by PTI MPA Ashifa Riaz, the mother of Ahsan Riaz Fatyana, alleging that her son had been kidnapped by unidentified individuals from their residence.

During the proceedings, Justice Bajwa questioned the progress made in the case.

SP Investigation Bushra Nisar, who was responsible for the investigation, failed to provide satisfactory answers or present any substantial findings collected during the investigation.

Following her unsatisfactory response, DIG Investigation Zeeshan Asghar was summoned to the court. He admitted that the SP Investigation had not made adequate progress and had not followed the court's directives properly.

Justice Bajwa expressed frustration, noting that the court had earlier directed all relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the case. However, it was revealed that the case file had remained stagnant on the SHO's desk for four days without any developments.

"Why should a contempt notice not be issued to these officers?" Justice Bajwa questioned, highlighting the lack of urgency in the investigation.

The court also pointed out that while there were 13 CCTV cameras available for review, the SP Investigation had only collected footage from one camera.

In response, DIG Zeeshan Asghar assured the court that the SP would gather footage from the other CCTV cameras, including those operated by the Safe City project, and would also seek information from private cameras along the route.

The petitioner's counsel, Mian Ali Ashfaq and Rana Maroof, voiced strong concerns over what they described as the police's non-serious attitude towards the case. They accused the police of using delaying tactics rather than making genuine efforts to trace the whereabouts of the former MPA.