Govt replaces officer in alleged violation of rules

KARACHI: Sindh government removed an officer from his office allegedly in violation of court orders in Sindh Anti-Corruption department and accommodated a police officer in his place.

According to documentary evidences available with ‘The News’, in provincial anti-corruption body ‘Inquiries and Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh’, Deputy Director Larkana Javed Halipoto was removed, who was posted following orders of Sindh Service Tribunal some six months back and a police officer was posted in his place.

According to the Supreme Court’s judgement of criminal original petition 89/2011, “No officer of Police should be posted twice in deputation in ‘Inquiries and Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh”. But in the said matter, a police officer who is said to be close relative of a ruling party leader was posted in contradiction of the SC order.

Javed Halipoto was removed from his position in March 2018 after 27 days without any solid reason. He approached Sindh Services Tribunal citing ‘Anita Turab case’ that no officer having position of tenure post could be transferred without any solid reason till the end of his tenure. Tribunal (SST) accepted his plea, directed Sindh government to post him within 15 days, and he was posted in Jamshoro. His posting order was submitted in tribunal (SST) only to conclude his petition and then within two hours Sindh government removed him.

Subsequently, Halipoto approached same forum tribunal (SST) by filling contempt of court application. Tribunal (SST) strictly directed Sindh government to post him within 30 days. Following the said order, he was posted at Larkana in July 2018 and within seven months he was again removed without genuine reason and an outsider police officer was posted there.

Rasheed Channa, spokesman Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Shah, said that the matter was in the knowledge of higher authorities and after verifying facts steps would be taken as per service laws and Supreme Court orders. Channa concluded that CM Sindh and Sindh government strictly believe in merit and rule of law.