LHC directs IGP to review conduct of DPO

LAHORE - The Lahore High Court directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab to review the conduct of District Police Officer Pakpattan Waqas Nazir whether he was a fit person to remain as DPO in the said district. The court also ordered IGP to hold an inquiry against Investigating Officer, SI Ghulam Rasool who had cancelled a case within three days after its registration as the police officers were involved in it. Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry gave these orders on a petition filed by Manzooran Bibi in which she prayed the court to set aside order passed by magistrate on her application moved for superdari of case property registered at Police Station Malka Hans on March 17, 2010. She submitted that police refused to register a case on her application against police officials who took away cash, gold ornaments and cattle belonging to the petitioner from her house on October 2, 2009. The petitioner submitted that she approached the court which disposing of her petition ordered DPO Pakpattan to hold an inquiry into the matter and register the case against police officials, if commission of any cognizable offence was made out. Manzooran Bibi submitted that the police did not register the case and she again approached the court which directed police for action but all in vain. However, at last a case was registered against police officials on March 17, 2010 on the intervention of the court and it was cancelled after three days of its registration. The court observed that cancellation of the present case in this hasty manner showed mala fide intension on the part of the Investigating Officer. I am not satisfied with the conduct of DPO as he has failed to take any action against police officials involved in cases referred for inquiry. It seems that he is playing in the hand of his subordinates, the court further observed. The court disposing of the petition directed IGP to ensure fair investigation observing the petitioner could file an application for superdari of the case property on the basis of the conclusions arrived by new investigating officer. The court also suspended cancellation report of the case submitted in the trial court till conclusion of the investigation by the new investigating officer.

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