Kot Radha Kishan tragedy: SC seeks report on Christian couple killing case

Directs IGP Punjab, secretary minorities’ affairs to submit report within three days

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court has sought a report from the Punjab government on the brutal lynching of a Christian couple in the Kot Radha Kishan area of Kasur district earlier this month.

Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk directed the IGP Punjab, as well as the provincial secretary for minorities’ affairs, on November 19 to submit a report on the tragic incident within three days, sources told The Express Tribune. He issued the orders after going through press clippings and a note regarding the incident forwarded to him by the Human Rights Cell of the top court.

An enraged mob on November 4 had beaten to death Shama and her spouse Shehzad and later burnt their bodies in the furnace of a brick kiln, where the couple worked, after accusing them of desecrating the Holy Quran.

An official of the top court told The Express Tribune that complying with the court’s November 19 order, the IGP Punjab has submitted a report, stating that the matter is still under investigation. “The report will be submitted before the chief justice for perusal in his chamber and if he feels, then appropriate order may be passed for fixing the case before a bench as well,” he added.



The official, however, clarified that it is not a suo motu but an administrative order, passed by the chief justice to the Human Rights Cell of the top court for seeking report from provincial departments. He added that the chief justice was in South Korea when the tragedy happened and, therefore, he has sought reports now.

Meanwhile, the court office has again directed the federal government to submit report on implementation of the Supreme Court’s June 19 landmark judgment regarding protection of minorities’ rights in the country.

Sources said the apex court on November 7 sent reminders to the prime minister, provincial chief ministers and chief secretaries, law ministry, establishment division, IGPs and others to submit their reports regarding measures taken for the implementation of its order. However, no report has been received as yet, a court official said.

The office of the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) has also dispatched letters to various ministries, seeking progress reports regarding measures they have taken for the implementation of the June 19 verdict. “Since the matter is likely to be fixed [for hearing] in the near future, representatives of ministries should send their reports immediately,” read the AGP’s letter.

Earlier this year, former chief justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani had initiated suo motu proceedings after receiving a letter from the Justice Helpline regarding a suicide bombing at Peshawar’s All Saints Church – an incident in which 81 Christian worshippers had died.

Announcing a landmark judgment on minorities’ rights, the Supreme Court had asked the government to constitute a national council for minorities’ rights and to form a special task force for the protection of places of worship of minority communities.

“A special police force be established with professional training to protect the places of worship of minorities,” said the 32-page judgment, authored by Justice Jillani. In all cases of violation of any of the rights guaranteed under law or desecration of the places of worship of minorities, the law enforcement agencies should promptly take action and criminal cases be registered against the offenders, the judgment reads.

Moreover, the apex court had also asked to develop appropriate curricula at school and college levels to promote religious tolerance in the country. It had also asked to take appropriate steps to ensure that hate speeches in social media are discouraged and the delinquents are brought to justice under the law.


Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2014.