Incomplete interim report: AD&SJ seeks explanation by May 30

Report does not state whether the suspect is in police custody.

LAHORE:

An additional district and sessions judge (AD&SJ) on Monday sought an explanation, by May 30, from a judicial magistrate, police officials and public prosecutors for submitting an incomplete interim report in a murder case.

Judge Muhammad Anwar Butt asked Magistrate Nazar Abbas Gondal, Baghbanpura DSP and SHO, a district public prosecutor and a deputy district public prosecutor to explain why an incomplete report was submitted.

Under Section 173 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), the police have to submit an investigation report within 14 days of registration of an FIR, listing the names of the parties, names of people who appear to be acquainted with the circumstances of the case, whether any offence appears to have been committed and, if so, by whom, whether the accused has been arrested and whether he has been released or given into police’s custody.

The report in question only mentions the name of accused and facts of the case, pointed out AD&SJ Butt. He said that it did not state whether the suspect was in police custody, the names of witnesses and the recovery of the alleged murder weapon.

Talking to The Express Tribune Advocate Aftab Ahmed Bajwa described the interim report as “negligent”. He and other lawyers said that magistrates needed to be better trained about such requirements.

According to the FIR registered by Baghbanpura police, Amanat Ali allegedly killed Waseem, an expatriate who had recently returned from Italy. The FIR, registered by the victim’s father, says that Waseem had asked Ali and Muhammad Ismail to repay a Rs50,000 loan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2012.