Under law SP probes blasphemy cases: SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday took a strong exception to the police entering a house without a warrant for arresting an alleged accused of blasphemy case and sought an explanation form the police.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musrat Hilali, summoned the Islamabad Police SP immediately and asked for an explanation for the arrest of the accused without a warrant.

The court, after accepting the bail plea of the accused of blasphemy against a surety bond of Rs50,000, directed that as per law, the Superintendent of Police (SP) should conduct further inquiry in the case of blasphemy.

The court held that an officer below the rank of SP will not monitor and investigate sensitive cases of blasphemy.

During the course of hearing when the Islamabad SP and SSP appeared before the court on its order, Justice Isa asked the officers as to whether the police can enter someone’s house without a warrant.

“Can someone go and search your house without a warrant?” the CJP asked the police officials, adding that according to the Police Order 2002, arrest without a warrant is punishable by five years.

The court was informed that the alleged accused is under arrest for the last 7 months.

Addressing the SSP, the chief justice said that a case of blasphemy was made on the basis of a picture, adding that first a case of blasphemy was made, followed by arrest.

He observed that no house is safe in Islamabad, how can the police violate the sanctity of people’s houses without a warrant, adding that the police do not register the case of murder, robbery immediately. Justice Mazhar inquired the law is saying that the SP will investigate the blasphemy case, how can a subordinate investigate in the presence of such a law?

The lawyer said that a person went with his friend and saw a picture there and filed a complaint with the police. He said the police are afraid in matters related to religion. At this, the CJP said that the police are timid even with guns. “We are tired of this kind of cases,” the CJP remarked.

The complainant said that he went to the accused with his friend where the insulting picture was displayed.

Justice Isa said it should be ensured that religion is not used for personal purposes.

Later, the court accepted the bail plea of the accused.