ATC takes strict notice of challan delays

RAWALPINDI:

An Anti-Terrorism Special Court has taken strict notice of police failure to submit complete challans in serious and terrorism-related cases across Rawalpindi Division.

The court has issued show-cause notices to Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Alpa, Rawalpindi City Police Officer Khalid Hamdani, Attock District Police Officer Sardar Mohrin Khan, Chakwal District Police Officer Kashif Zulfiqar and Murree District Police Officer Raza Tanveer Sapra.

The court has summoned all officers with written explanations and directed them to ensure timely submission of complete challans in serious terrorism cases. According to court proceedings, despite earlier notices and clear instructions to submit challans on time, the officers neither submitted replies nor ensured the presentation of complete challans, prompting the court to issue formal show-cause notices.

All five officers have been ordered to submit their replies by January 10 and appear before the court at 9am on the same day. The court observed that Rawalpindi police have failed to submit complete challans in serious cases, resulting in prolonged hearings and delays in terrorism trials.

Under the law, police investigation teams are bound to submit challans within 14 days.