Habeas corpus petition: PHC CJ expresses anger over non-appearance of SHO

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim on Monday expressed anger over the non-appearance of the station house officer concerned in a habeas corpus case of a civilian.

The single PHC bench of the chief justice was hearing the habeas corpus petition for a citizen Misbah-ul-Haq who went missing in the Matani area in Peshawar in 2019. His father Ihsanullah had filed the petition seeking the recovery of his son.

Additional Advocate General Mohammad Inam Khan Yousafzai appeared before the court.The bench asked the additional advocate general whether the station house officer of the Matani Police Station had appeared in the court in connection with the petition.

Inam Yousafzai informed the court that his office also had sent a letter to the SHO in question but he had not appeared before the court. At this, the bench summoned Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mohammad Qasim Khan.

The bench restarted its hearing when the CCPO appeared before the court. The bench told the CCPO that the court had summoned the SHO of Matani on April 14 in connection with the habeas corpus petition but he did not bother to turn up.

The CCPO told the bench that he had assumed charge two weeks ago, therefore, he needed some time to furnish information about the case. He assured the bench that the police would carry out the court orders in letter and spirit and he would look into this matter.