Vulnerability in detention: LHC orders DCO, CPO not to harass guard’s family
Faisalabad officials directed to proceed in accordance with law.
The orders were issued on a petition filed by Imran’s wife, Javeria Bibi. PHOTO: LHC.GOV.PK
FAISALABAD:
Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday directed the Faisalabad district coordination officer (DCO) and the city police officer (CPO) not to harass the family of a former guard of the DCO who is in police custody on charges of extorting money from businessmen and revenue department officials allegedly on account of his official assignment.
Justice Aalia Neelum of the LHC also ordered the authorities to investigate the allegations against the accused gunman, Imran Ahmed, in accordance with the law. The orders were issued on a petition filed by Imran’s wife, Javeria Bibi.
Ahmed, who was the Faisalabad DCO’s guard, had earlier been taken into custody for allegedly extorting money from people. The petitioner said that Ahmed had been deputed as the DCO’s guard on the CPO’s instructions.
“On May 12, when my husband came home, a police team, on orders from the CPO on the behest of the DCO, forced their way into our house, violating the sanctity of our home, and arrested Ahmed,” the petitioner said. She said the police told them that they were taking Ahmed to the DCO.
The petitioner expressed the fear that Ahmed would be killed in a staged police encounter, because the DCO considered him “a serious threat to his job and reputation”.
“My husband’s life is in danger,” the petitioner said, adding that she had requested all the officials concerned to deal with the case in accordance with the law. However, she said no one had listened to her. “A fair trial is the right of every citizen,” the petitioner said, asking that the same right should be accorded to her husband.
The petitioner’s counsel, Muhammad Ajmal Adil, requested the court to direct the Faisalabad DCO and CPO to act in accordance with the law.
After hearing the arguments, the judge ordered the officials that the accused should not be victimised in any manner and his family, including his wife, must not be harassed.
The court also restrained the DCO and CPO from taking any action against the accused in violation of rules.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2014.
Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday directed the Faisalabad district coordination officer (DCO) and the city police officer (CPO) not to harass the family of a former guard of the DCO who is in police custody on charges of extorting money from businessmen and revenue department officials allegedly on account of his official assignment.
Justice Aalia Neelum of the LHC also ordered the authorities to investigate the allegations against the accused gunman, Imran Ahmed, in accordance with the law. The orders were issued on a petition filed by Imran’s wife, Javeria Bibi.
Ahmed, who was the Faisalabad DCO’s guard, had earlier been taken into custody for allegedly extorting money from people. The petitioner said that Ahmed had been deputed as the DCO’s guard on the CPO’s instructions.
“On May 12, when my husband came home, a police team, on orders from the CPO on the behest of the DCO, forced their way into our house, violating the sanctity of our home, and arrested Ahmed,” the petitioner said. She said the police told them that they were taking Ahmed to the DCO.
The petitioner expressed the fear that Ahmed would be killed in a staged police encounter, because the DCO considered him “a serious threat to his job and reputation”.
“My husband’s life is in danger,” the petitioner said, adding that she had requested all the officials concerned to deal with the case in accordance with the law. However, she said no one had listened to her. “A fair trial is the right of every citizen,” the petitioner said, asking that the same right should be accorded to her husband.
The petitioner’s counsel, Muhammad Ajmal Adil, requested the court to direct the Faisalabad DCO and CPO to act in accordance with the law.
After hearing the arguments, the judge ordered the officials that the accused should not be victimised in any manner and his family, including his wife, must not be harassed.
The court also restrained the DCO and CPO from taking any action against the accused in violation of rules.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2014.