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Illegal detention SHC orders registration of FIR against police officials

KARACHI: A division bench of Sindh High Court comprising Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice S.A. Rabbani on Monday ordered registration of a FIR against police officials for detaining a citizen illegally.

The bench was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed against the illegal detention of Muzaffar Hussain Bhatti, who was allegedly arrested on Friday without lodging of an FIR.

The alleged detenu informed the bench that he was released on Saturday evening.

A sub-inspector defence society police station Irshad Hussain appearing before the court submitted that the accused was arrested on Friday at about 4 a.m. and was released at 6 a.m.

The court also took strong exception that the alleged detenu was arrested on the instructions of ASP (under training) Sharjeel. The court also observed that the detenu can file a suit for damages against the police officials.

The court also ordered that a case of habeas corpus be registered against police officers involved in the incident and the compliance report be sent to the Registrar of SHC within a month.

Meanwhile, another bench of SHC comprising Chief Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui and Justice Mushtaq Memon directed Special court for Supression of Terrorist Activities court (STA), Hyderabad to decide bail application of an applicant/accused Ghulam Rasool alias Ghulamo within next three months.

The accused was booked in a kidnapping for ransom case. According to the prosecution, applicant/accused Ghulamo kidnapped complainant Wahid Ali, Deputy Director Technical of Sindh Agriculture Department in December 1992. The kidnapee was released after payment of rupees 2.5 million as ransom. APP