Cantt police have registered a case against some lawyers for hurling threats at traffic policemen, making a video of the clash over impounding a motorcycle and making it viral on social media. The case was registered under the PECA Act and other offences.
The Rawalpindi legal fraternity protested the registration of a case and demanded its quick withdrawal.
Inspector Wajid of the City Traffic Police complained that he was on duty with his team when a video was circulated on Facebook by Advocate Chaudhry Rizwan Elahi.
The incident took place on Saturday on Haider Road, where a motorcyclist was stopped for not wearing a helmet and for the absence of a front number plate. The rider, identified as Malik Tajammul, was issued a challan (ticket), and his motorcycle was impounded due to a lack of documents.
The motorcyclist introduced himself as a lawyer and called around 15 fellow lawyers to the scene, who allegedly hurled serious threats. Other policemen present helped defuse the situation. However, Advocate Rizwan Elahi later posted the video on his Facebook account, allegedly to defame the police.
The complaint states that the video was intentionally made viral to incite public sentiment and malign the image and dignity of the police department.
It further alleges that threats were issued to uniformed officers and official work was obstructedacts considered criminal.
The police confirmed that a case has been registered and investigations are underway.
On the other hand, the lawyers strongly condemned the registration of a case, calling it fabricated. In a statement issued by Asad Mehmood Malik, the Secretary of the Rawalpindi Bar Association, the Association expressed strong condemnation of the City Traffic Police's "illegal, unconstitutional, and inappropriate behaviour" towards their esteemed member and former Joint Secretary, Advocate Malik Tajammul Awan.
Despite the matter being resolved at the scene, the Bar Association strongly protested the "baseless and unlawful FIR" lodged against Advocates Elahi and Awan, demanding its immediate withdrawal.
The Rawalpindi District Bar declared full solidarity with its members, asserting that the dignity and honour of the legal fraternity would never be compromised. If the case is not withdrawn within 24 hours, the Bar will announce its next course of strict action.
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