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LHC directive to IGP against illegal confinement

Recorder Report

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday directed the Inspector General of Police to issue a general order directing his subordinates across the province not to keep the innocent citizens in illegal custody.

The LHC observed that due to this practice courts had to face the burden of habeas corpus petitions and added that the higher officials should keep a vigilant eye on the illegal activities of their subordinates and also take disciplinary action against those found involved in illegal practices.

The court passed these orders on a habeas corpus petition filed by Muhammad Ashraf, who approached the court for the recovery of his son-in-law, Muhammad Nadeem, who was taken in illegal custody by the CIA staff, Kotwali.

Ashraf's son was required by the police in a criminal case and the police raided his house to arrest him, but when it did not find him in the house, it took the detenue with them.

He approached the police officials for the recovery of his innocent son-in-law but they refused to release him before the arrest of his son.

He therefore approached the LHC for the recovery of the detenue, but the police even after the directions of the court did not produce the detenue before the court.

The court then called the IGP who on Monday appeared before the court.