LHC summons Punjab IG over FIR registered despite stay order

LAHORE, Sep 23 (APP): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday expressed serious displeasure with the performance of Punjab Police after an FIR was allegedly registered against a petitioner despite a court stay order, and summoned Inspector General of Punjab Police Abdul Karim in person on September 24.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard a contempt petition filed by Mian Muhammad Jameel against the former SHO of Chung police station.

The petitioner contended that an FIR had been registered against him despite the court’s stay order.

During the proceedings, SP Saddar Muhammad Abdullah and other police officials appeared before the court and submitted a report regarding the matter. The chief justice, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the report.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum directed the police officials to read out the report submitted before the court. SP Saddar Muhammad Abdullah made several attempts to read the report but was unable to do so properly.

The chief justice also criticised the unclear and faint font used in the police report.

“I could not read it even while wearing glasses. Reading such unclear and faint files has weakened my eyesight,” she remarked.

The chief justice also questioned the police official, asking under which rules the font used in the report had been prepared.

The court expressed dissatisfaction with the explanation and report submitted by SP Saddar Muhammad Abdullah and also voiced strong displeasure over the overall performance of Punjab Police.

The court sought explanations from the relevant police officials over the registration of an FIR against Mian Muhammad Jameel despite the stay order.

In view of the seriousness of the matter, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum ordered Punjab Inspector General Abdul Karim to appear before the court in person on Thursday.

Following the summons issued to the provincial police chief, the LHC adjourned further hearing of the case until September 24.