Hyderabad municipal commissioner briefly detained for disobeying court

hyderabad: The Hyderabad municipal commissioner was briefly arrested on court orders on Thursday as the Sindh High Court (SHC) Hyderabad bench heard a petition against the government’s failure to pay gratuity and benevolent fund to municipal employees.

A division bench of the SHC comprising Justice Shamsuddin Abbasi and Justice Amjad Ali Sehto heard the petition. The high court expressed anger over non-payment of dues to municipal employees after which the municipal commissioner was arrested. However, he was later released as he apologised and assured the court that its orders would be obeyed.

Hyderabad Municipal Corporation employee Shrimati Chanda filed the petition against non-payment of pension, gratuity and benevolent fund. Earlier, the high court issued bailable arrest warrant in sum of Rs10,000 for the Hyderabad municipal commissioner because of his absence at the previous hearing and ordered the Hyderabad SSP to produce him on February 29.

Municipal Commissioner Zahoor Ahmed Lakhan appeared on the hearing on Thursday, and the high court expressed anger at him for not paying the arrears of the employees and not depositing personal bonds of Rs10,000.

The SHC ordered the court police to take Lakhan into custody from the courtroom. The municipal commissioner sat in police custody outside the court for several hours. Later, through his lawyers, he sought pardon from the court and assured that he would submit personal documents and pay the arrears of the petitioner. The bench accepted his assurance and ordered his release.