Contempt of court: PHC summons federal interior deputy secretary

In 2012, court directed ministry to bring back man accused of murder from Saudi Arabia.

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has directed the federal interior deputy secretary to appear in person and explain the ministry’s failure to comply with court orders.

Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Muhammad Daud Khan issued the order while hearing a contempt of court petition filed by Dr Abdul Jalil’s counsel Ijaz Khan Sabi.

The high court had ordered the ministry of interior to approach Interpol for the repatriation of Sohail, accused in a murder case, from Saudi Arabia on February 6, 2012.

Counsel of the plaintiff told the court that on March 29, 2011, Sohail barged into Dr Jalil’s house, situated within the jurisdiction of Badhaber police, and opened indiscriminate fire. The firing left grade nine student Dilara dead and Talha Bibi injured.

Sohail managed to flee while the family approached the police and nominated him in the FIR.

The counsel added the police failed to apprehend the accused who escaped to Saudi Arabia, after which the trial court declared him a proclaimed offender. The court was informed that Sohail has not returned as yet and there is sufficient evidence at hand to prove his guilt.

The bereaved family had approached the court, whose directives of repatriation fell on deaf ears at the Ministry of Interior. The court was requested to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the relevant official.

Upon hearing the arguments, the bench instructed the federal interior deputy secretary to appear in person on the next scheduled hearing and explain the ministry’s position.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2015.