SC gives two weeks to police

ISLAMABAD Rejecting police and the Defence Ministry reports, the Supreme Court on Wednesday gave two-week time to IGP Islamabad, Syed Kaleem Imam for recovery of the missing son of senior journalist, Shahkil Ahmed Turabi and adjourned the hearing till June 10. A three-member bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday remarked, How it is possible that the police chief of the Capital dont know about a child, who was kidnapped from the city about four months ago. Deputy Inspector General, Islamabad Police, Binyamin submitted a report in the court in this regard but the CJ expressed dissatisfaction over it. The DIG informed the court that the secret agencies were also questioned about the kidnapping of the boy, Hassan Sharjeel, but they denied that the boy was into their custody. The CJ warned the DIG of strict action if the boy was not recovered, adding that four months had already lapsed and the boy could not be recovered yet. He said that the police officials were doing nothing but only registering the FIRs and withdrawing them. Shakeel Turabi alleged that police did not tell truth to the court. He said that his son was not involved in any criminal activity and he should be presented in the court if committed any crime. He told the bench that he was approached on telephone and the caller without identifying himself asked him to withdraw the case and threatened him of dire consequences. Turabi said that he was even ready to leave the country if his son was handed over to him safely. The apex court termed police, the secret agencies and the Defence Ministrys reports dissatisfactory. The Chief Justice asked the DIG, Do you have any justification to retain the office anymore, go and report to Interior Secretary Qamar Zaman that you have failed to complete the task. On the occasion, the IGP Islamabad said that they were sincerely making efforts to recover Hassan Sharjeel, as he was like their own sons. He requested the court to grant him more time, adding that he would like to assure the court that he would recover the boy. In his remarks, Justice Ramday asked him, You will feel the same pain when you face the same situation. he said that police would try to hide the evidences till the Day of Judgement. He said that the police stations were made only for the noble people, as the thieves and robbers were being protected. The court ordered police to recover Sharjeel and present him before the court on June 10. During the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that no one could feel the misery from which the victim was undergoing, adding that no one would be allowed to commit wrongdoing. The DIG informed the court that Hassan Sharjeel was not kidnapped from the school, adding that the secret agencies told in a written statement that the child was not into their custody.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt