LHC issues notice to special Secy
September 16, 2010
LAHORE
THE Lahore High Court chief justice on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to special secretary home department for filing an illogical reply about the possibility of paying ransom amount to a deputy secretary who had got his son released from kidnappers after paying Rs4 million.
The secretary in his reply said, “It is fact that it is state responsibility to prevent and detect crime. However, it is not an absolute responsibility but a qualified responsibility. Paying ransom for recovery of abductees is in itself an unlawful act and cannot be rewarded.”
The CJ said 40 police personnel were present at the time of giving ransom money to kidnappers but they failed to chase the accused persons rather they opened fire at them knowing that kidnappers had not handed over the child to his family. Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, expressing serious displeasure on this reply, observed, “It means that if some relative or blood relation of a person is abducted and accused ask for ransom, he should not pay ransom and let the said abductee be murdered by accused persons.”
Justice Sharif issued a show-cause notice to the special secretary home for Sept 16, observing as to why action should not be taken against him for submitting such a reply and directed the court office to prepare a separate file in this regard.
The CJ adjourned hearing till Oct 6 of main suo motu as a police officer sought more time for the arrest of the kidnappers.
The suo motu was taken on application of Dr Alamdar Hussain, who alleged that his son Athar,11, was kidnapped on May 9, 2010 and later was released on payment of Rs4 million as ransom. He alleged that Rawalpindi police did not cooperate with him for the recovery of his son and also failed to nab the culprits.
THE Lahore High Court chief justice on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to special secretary home department for filing an illogical reply about the possibility of paying ransom amount to a deputy secretary who had got his son released from kidnappers after paying Rs4 million.
The secretary in his reply said, “It is fact that it is state responsibility to prevent and detect crime. However, it is not an absolute responsibility but a qualified responsibility. Paying ransom for recovery of abductees is in itself an unlawful act and cannot be rewarded.”
The CJ said 40 police personnel were present at the time of giving ransom money to kidnappers but they failed to chase the accused persons rather they opened fire at them knowing that kidnappers had not handed over the child to his family. Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, expressing serious displeasure on this reply, observed, “It means that if some relative or blood relation of a person is abducted and accused ask for ransom, he should not pay ransom and let the said abductee be murdered by accused persons.”
Justice Sharif issued a show-cause notice to the special secretary home for Sept 16, observing as to why action should not be taken against him for submitting such a reply and directed the court office to prepare a separate file in this regard.
The CJ adjourned hearing till Oct 6 of main suo motu as a police officer sought more time for the arrest of the kidnappers.
The suo motu was taken on application of Dr Alamdar Hussain, who alleged that his son Athar,11, was kidnapped on May 9, 2010 and later was released on payment of Rs4 million as ransom. He alleged that Rawalpindi police did not cooperate with him for the recovery of his son and also failed to nab the culprits.
