Cop served contempt notice in Aafia case

KARACHI Judicial Magistrate (East) JM Zabia Khatak on Wednesday issued a contempt of court notice to Sub-Inspector Shahid Qureshi in the kidnapping case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui and her three children and summoned him on May 6. The court issued the notice after the police failure to comply with court orders regarding recording statement of the detained victim. An investigation team, led by the then SSP Niaz Khokar had travelled to the US to record Dr Aafias statements but the US government did not permit the team. Earlier, on the court directions, a case was registered with the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Police on Dec 7, 2009 against the kidnapping of Dr Aafia Siddiqi. Later, cousel for Dr Siddiqi, Qadir Khan Mandokhel submitted an application in the court, seeking challan of the case. At which the investigation officer submitted a report on March 2 after recording statements of Dr Siddiqis children and her mother Dr Ismat Siddiqi. According to the report, there was still no clue about the whereabouts of the accused. However, the court rejected the report and ordered the investigation officer to carry out a fresh probe. Dr Siddiqis lawyer moved another application, citting that the investigation officer had failed to submit challan of the case even after the lapse of two months. He said the investigation officer had committed contempt of court.