SC tells Rao Anwar to respond to allegations

Karachi
The Supreme Court on Thursday called for SSP Malir Rao Anwar’s comments over the allegations of intimidation levelled against him by a complainant pursuing an extrajudicial murder case.
SSP Anwar was summoned by the court to clarify the matter as the complainant, Anwar Ali, had accused him of sending three people to coerce a withdrawal of the case against former Sachal SHO Ismail Lashari.
The latter had defied orders of the Sindh High Court for an inquiry into the extrajudicial killing of a citizen, Anis, allegedly in a fake encounter by the Sohrab Goth and Sachal police in June last year.
The court had ordered the Additional IGP Karachi to withdraw field postings of the two nominated police officers – Lashari and Sheikh Shoaib Ali – and directed the DIG CIA to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter.
In compliance of the court’s directives, DIG CIA Gul Hameed Samoo submitted a report stating that a FIR had been registered against Lashari, Mukhtiar Mangi, Khalid Bhatti and Shabbir Khoso.
The complainant, Anwar Ali, had submitted that he was being threatened by police officers of District Malir. He alleged that he had been the victim of a failed abduction attempt around three days back, and accused SSP Anwar of having sent three men to intimidate him and force a withdrawal of the case.
While SSP Anwar and the two nominated officers were present, the two-member SC bench headed by Justice Amir Hani Muslim took strong exception over the absence of the case investigation officer from Sachal police station who had been told to appear with the case file.
The court expressed concern over the state of affairs in the police department, observing that it was highly unusual to see that a sub-inspector had failed to appear for a hearing where all district police high-ups were present.
The bench issued bailable warrants for the IO’s arrest and directed the SSP concerned to ensure his attendance at Friday’s (today’s) hearing.
As for SSP Anwar, his counsel was directed to submit a reply to the complainant’s application. A day earlier, the bench had expressed concern over the fact that despite the matter being in court, police officers thought it fit to influence the investigation by threatening the complainant. The court observed that if any harm befell the complainant or his family, the officers concerned would be held responsible.
The hearing was adjourned till Friday after Additional IGP Karachi Ghulam Qadir Thebo informed the bench that IGP Ghulam Hyder Jamali would be unable to attend due to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the city.

Memon contempt case
The Sindh High Court directed provincial minister for information and local government, Sharjeel Inam Memon, to file comments in a plea seeking action over his alleged contemptuous remarks against the judiciary.
The petitioner, Rana Faizul Hasan, had submitted that Memon was liable for contempt of court charges over his remarks. He alleged that Memon passed derogatory remarks against judges and had violated Article 68, which bars assembly members from discussing the conduct of superior court judges, and Article 204 of the constitution.
The SHC division bench headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar took notice of the non-filing of comments in the petition and directed the respondent’s counsel, as well as the provincial law officer, to file comments within three weeks.