LHC chief justice rebukes Gujranwala police over FIR against petitioner

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Monday expressed displeasure over the registration of a criminal case against a citizen who had approached the court in a land possession dispute in which he alleged police interference.

Hearing a petition filed by Sharafat Ali, the chief justice said filing cases against people seeking relief from courts would not be tolerated. Regional Police Officer Gujranwala Khurram Shahzad, City Police Officer Gujranwala Dr Ghias Gul and other officials appeared before the court during the proceedings.

According to the petition, Sharafat Ali said he was a leaseholder and that police were interfering in the matter despite a stay order already issued by the court in his favour. He further stated that after the high court passed its order, police registered an FIR against him.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Neelum said the court’s role was not to punish anyone without justification, but to ensure justice in accordance with the law. She asked the CPO to explain the timing of the court order and the FIR.

The CPO told the court that the stay order had been issued on June 17, while the FIR was registered on June 18. The chief justice then questioned why, if there had been legal grounds for action, the case had not been registered before the stay order was issued.

When the CPO said the relevant SHO had not been aware of the court’s order, the chief justice said it was unacceptable to register a case against a person who had turned to the court for protection. She also remarked that the inspector general of police could be summoned in such circumstances.

The chief justice directed the CPO to review the matter afresh, hear all sides and decide it on merit. She further ordered him to submit an inquiry report to the court on July 6.