DIG East made IO for squatter case

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court appointed the DIG police (East), Dr Ameer Sheikh, on Thursday to investigate allegations on illegal land grabbing against the additional home secretary, police officials and a private builder.

A division bench also directed the DIG to submit an investigation report within 15 days.

The petitioner, Kalsoom, named additional home secretary Shafqat Hussain Abbasi, a Sindh Board of Revenue member, the IG Sindh, the DIG (East), Ghulshan-e-Iqbal Town DDO Revenue, SHO Sachal Police Station and Mehboob Abbasi, a private builder, as respondents.

Kalsoom’s counsel Irshad Ali Shah submitted that the petitioner’s husband, who is the president of Shahbaz Shar Goth Welfare Association, was sanctioned by the government to set up the Government Girls Degree College graveyard and public park in Shahbaz Shar Goth. But, Mehboob Abbasi, backed by Shafqat Abbasi, was trying to usurp the land.

Shah stated that Mehboob along with armed men attacked the goth, killing two men. An FIR was registered against them but no arrests were made, he stated.

The counsel submitted that the respondents had the petitioner’s husband arrested in false cases, pressuring him to withdraw the FIR.

The division bench ordered: “DIG East is appointed as Investigation Officer in respect of allegation levelled by petitioner. [...] During the intervening period, the DIG shall ensure government land is not encroached upon by either party.” The hearing was adjourned till September 7.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2010.