Boy was allegedly among protesters interfering in raid. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
In a bizarre case highlighting the dysfunctional justice system in the country, the Ganjmandi Police on Thursday booked a 16-month-old for “resisting and stopping the police in performance of its duty.”
On Wednesday night, Pakistan Customs officials conducted raids on various shops in Nankani Bazaar to seize smuggled cigarettes. The traders offered resistance and staged a demonstration against what they called “illegal raids”. The Customs officials called the police to help them seize the smuggled goods.
Ganjmandi police officials reached the scene and tried to disperse the protesting traders, but failed.
“After the officials raided Din and Son Traders, the owner called other traders, who did not allow the officials to seize the cigarettes,” said Muhammad Imtiaz, a shopkeeper.
The police then registered a case against various traders and also including Chaudhry Nadish, a 16-month-old boy, for “offering resistance, interfering and stopping the police from performing their duty.”
Later, a delegation from the local traders’ body met Rawal Division Superintendent Malik Karamat, who assured them that the child will not be arrested and his name will be removed from the FIR.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2014.
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