Model Town tragedy: ATC sends 5 police officials on 5-day physical remand
The bloodshed, which took place on June 17 at the Central Secretariat of Minjahul Quran International in the upscale Model Town neighbourhood of Lahore, resulted in the death of at least 14 Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers.
The Faisal Town police today produced the accused before the court when the investigation officer requested the bench to send the officials to jail on judicial remand.
The investigation officer said that the policemen used official guns in the clash which were already available with the police department and therefore, there was no need for their physical remand.
The court, after listening to the arguments, rejected the investigation officer’s plea for judicial remand and sent the police officials on a physical remand. The officials include Inspector Amir Saleem Sheikh, Sub-Inspector Hafiz Athar, and constables Khurram, Naveed and Nawaz.
Meanwhile, former DIG Rana Abdul Jabbar filed a bail application in the ATC, fearing his arrest in relation to the ongoing investigation.
JIT finds SP guilty
Additional Inspector General Sarmad Saeed demoted SP Salman Ali Khan to Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for his involvement in the clashes.
With the help of CCTV footage, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) found Salman guilty of firing 200 bullets straight at the protesters. In his statement to the JIT, however, he said he only fired 20 bullets.
The investigation team also found him guilty of tampering with official records to save his own skin.
Gullu Butt
Another accountability court sent Gullu Butt - who gained notoriety by smashing cars during the June 17 clashes - on a five-day physical remand. Butt is allegedly an active member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
The investigation officer informed the court that the baton Butt had used to damage cars during the clashes needed to be recovered from him as well as a gun.
“Therefore his physical remand is needed,” the investigation officer stated.
COMMENTS (21)
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@Sheezad: u shud keep ur eyes open people died not just because of police bt ur so called dear leader qadri who was giving provoking speaches..n people like u following him blindly.
@Sheezad: u shud keep ur eyes open people died not just because of police bt ur so called dear leader qadri who was giving provoking speaches..n people like u following him blindly..police was only the culprit..
@maina: The JIT is not carrying out one sided inquiry,it is there to find out the truth.The judicial commission has been tasked to only investigate the FIR launched by the Police.PAT's FIR has not even been registered by the concerned Police station so far.
The picture says it all.
Such a weak state - thanks to interference by establishment - that we can't even prosecute TuQ for his criminal conduct and hijacking .
One is surprised that at the age of 62 Qadri remembered there are poor people in Pakistan, why not at the age of 40 years when he was talking about his dreams! It seems there is a hidden agenda behind this.
No one ever from Shareef family will get convicted while they are in the rule. I have a feeling in the end Rana SanaUllah will be back on saddle yet again. Sad affairs!
Don't you worry at all, these sacked policemen would be awarded for their sacrifice. Might some of them end up directors of some Govt Institutions in future like mr. rathoor!
nowhere in any society with democratic dispensation police or any other LEA is mandated to fire at civilians. police has array of options to disperse the crowd. make arrests and YES leave the scene if it is ONLY their presence that is causing the public outrage!
As usual express tribune is at forefront of giving false and completely fabricated news.
This case has treads direct to PMLN's leadership. A picture says more than thousand words. In this case we've seen enough video evidence and heard plenty ridiculous statements from PMLN to know what happened. Let's see how independent our judges are. We've been fooled enough times and it has to end.
@maina: you must keep your eyes and brain open. 14 people died by police brutality ordered by high command. I feel ashamed that people like you still exist in Pakistan.
should be investigate QT roll also how he used his followers
No Qadri's supporters have not always been peaceful. , In 1990s, Qadri ordered them to take over Jang and The News offices. They did so and remained there till 12 am to orce them to given 6 column headline of Pakistan Awami Tehreek's rally. They did not leave till the last copy went to press. . It is fascist attitude and he never said sorry!
This is the real face of our leaders,, I have no sympathies for Qadri who is trying to cash on 14 innocent lives lost,,,, but Shahbaz Sharif should have courage either to stand behind his police force or take the responsibility.
I don't know why people hate police?? And why JIT doing one sided inquiry ?? Why they are not asking PAT workers why they pelted stone n petrol bomb on police n even fired which kind of protest they were doing..police should leave as a looser??
Why they are doing one sided inquiry?? Why they are not asking to PAT workers why did they pelted stone petrol bumb n fired at police ...is this lawfull??? They teased police officials for almost 12 hrs or more ...police should remain quiet or should leave as looser????
The real criminal for this brutality is Shahbaz Sharif. Only he could order for straight firing. policemen just followed the orders. Qadri's supporter were un-armed and they were always peaceful in their past rallies.
Poor training lack of equipment why are we blaming police, besides qadri is responsible. Qadri should be hanged.