SOPs issued to curb fraudulent case filing

Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has issued new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all district courts in Punjab to tackle the growing issue of fraudulent case filings and financial irregularities.'

According to a press release issued on Tuesday, the new SOPs approved by the Administrative Committee of the LHC make it mandatory for litigants to complete an 'information sheet' at the time of case filing.

The form must include the signature or thumb impression of the petitioner, plaintiff, or litigant, along with a photograph. However, physical appearance in court for the photograph is not required; it can be submitted remotely via webcam.

Moreover, the information sheet must contain the litigant's Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) and mobile phone numbers on the first page. The step comes in response to a surge in fake and fictitious cases being filed in district courts across the province using forged documents and false identities. These scams enabled fraudulent withdrawals of public funds from the government treasury, using the names of genuine litigants.

Action has already been initiated against individuals involved in such scams.