Kidnap-for-ransom case: Outline steps taken to beat crime

Seeks report from centre and provinces on efforts to purge criminal mindset.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has sought reports from the federal and provincial authorities about measures being taken to discourage and defeat a criminal psyche as well as to reduce crime.

Taking up a 23-year-old case of kidnapping for ransom in Sindh, the apex court’s two-judge bench – comprising Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan and Justice Omar Ata Bandial – on Friday issued notices to the federation and provincial law departments.

The bench asked the authorities about what had been done so far as well as what is currently being done to control crime and outfox criminal minds.  “[With the advent of modern technologies], we are at the threshold of a golden era but are still unable to stop the dragon of crime and terrorism. We can bring ties and dresses from abroad but why can’t we import techniques to beat crimes?” the bench asked.

The bench observed that the police, who are responsible for curbing crime, are working with a 19th century system. Policemen are not well equipped and updated enough to take down crime.

“The situation is not such that it cannot be effectively dealt with,” it added.

The court also lamented that the process of postings, transfer and appointment in police was turned into something like ‘bidding’ in which money played a central role.

SSP Malir Karachi, Malik Altaf, informed the court that the petitioners and the detainees in the kidnapping case did not pursue their cases following their release.

‘How could they pursue their cases when the police would not give them protection?” asked Justice Ijaz.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2015.