High court stops appointments of SHOs with sketchy record

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Sindh inspector general of police (IGP) to ensure that no SHO is posted in a police station whose service profile is sketchy with criminal record. The direction came on a petition with regard to enforced disappearance of a citizen and lack of rules for the transfers and postings of SHOs.

A division bench of the SHC headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar also directed the IGP to ensure that no interference, either political or departmental, was there in the transfer and posting of SHOs in all ranges, if any individual was found indulged in such sort of affairs he/she shall be disqualified for further posting as an SHO in any police station in Sindh.

The high court observed that office incharge of the police station was required to be appointed amongst qualified inspectors or qualified sub-inspectors and the selection shall be merit-based through a selection/district board.

The SHC was informed that the Sindh Police Rules 2024 were being drafted and the training DIG was working on a chapter with regard to transfers and postings of the SHOs. The draft rules for the office incharge of the police station had been submitted and the government will approve the final rules.

The high court observed that in view of the draft rules, it appeared that the Sindh inspector general of police was willing to comply with the directions and had endeavored by drafting the rules. The SHC disposed of the petition in terms of the draft rules which shall be subject to final approval of he Sindh government. The SHC observed that in the intervening period, the draft rules shall be implemented in all the ranges, including the Karachi Range.

Mitha Ram Hostel

The SHC directed the Auqaf secretary to submit the status of the Mitha Ram Hostel as it was dedicated by Mitha Ram for the purpose of education. The high court directed the secretary to also file the MoUs, if any, signed with the law enforcement agencies or other bodies with regard to possession of the hostel with the time period.

The bench inquired a Rangers law officer why the hostel was declared as sub-jail whereas the same was constructed for education. The Rangers counsel submitted that the Sindh government had allocated the Mitha Ram Hostel for the Rangers keeping in view the law and order situation. He said the Rangers had maintained the hostel as per required standards. The high court directed the Auqaf secretary to submit the status of the Mitha Ram Hostel along with any MoU if any signed with the period as well.