LHC CJ rejects SP’s apology

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan on Tuesday once again rejected a written unconditional apology by SP Operations Sadar Hafeezur Rehman Bugti as the officer refused to admit his fault of giving a misstatement saying he was ready to face a trial.

As a counsel for the police officer submitted a copy of the written unconditional apology, the chief justice noted that the apology was still without an admission of guilt. The counsel requested the court to accept the apology as the career of the officer was at stake. Asked about the process to punish a public servant for misleading a court, a provincial law officer told the chief justice that the SP could be sentenced to three-month jail through a summary trial. He said the SP could also be convicted till rising of the court.

Chief Justice Khan observed that repeated opportunities had been given to the SP but he failed to admit his fault. The CJ would resume hearing on Wednesday (today). A citizen had filed a petition against illegal occupation by Township police on his property. The petitioner told the court that the police officials visited his home and threatened him. The SP had claimed that an opinion from DIG legal had been sought before the police’s visit to the petitioner’s residence. However, the DIG told the court that the matter was not related to his office and he had no meeting with the SP.