HYDERABAD, Aug 29: A division bench of the Sindh High Court, Hyderabad, on Thursday took serious notice of the illegal detention of two persons at the Kotri police station who were recovered in a raid by a high court official on Wednesday.

The bench, comprising Justice Mohammad Moosa K. Leghari and Justice Zia Pervez, had directed Amanullah Soomro, the reader of the court, to carry out raids at Tando Yousuf and Kotri police stations and ascertain facts regarding unlawful detention of three persons.

Advocate Farmood Ali Babar had filed a constitutional petition on behalf of Sahat Bibi, a resident of Sikandarabad Kotri.

The petitioner said that on Aug 18 her sons, Shamsuddin, Zahid Hussain and Riaz Hussain and husband, Mohammad Hashim, were picked up by the in charge, investigation, Fazal Zardari, and taken to the Tando Yousuf police station.

She said except Shamsuddin, the rest were released by the police after taking illegal gratification of Rs30,000 and added that they were threatened with dire consequences if they spoke against them.

The petitioner said that on Aug 24, the police raided the residence of her son, Zafar Ali Junejo, in Sikandarabad and picked up a guest, Kamran Naqvi, and the brother-in-law of Junejo, Nisar Ahmad Junejo. They also took away two sets of gold and Rs22,000.

She said Junejo approached the police for the release of the detainees but in vain. He also sent telegrams to higher authorities on Aug 25.

The petitioner requested the court to order registration of case against the in charge, investigation, Fazal Zardari.

The raid commissioner after raiding the police station found that Kamran and Nisar Ahmad were illegally detained.

The detainees were released.

The raid commissioner then paid a surprise visit to the Tando Yousuf police station but did not find Shamsuddin.

The SHO, Kotri police station, appeared before the court and said the two detainees were involved in crime No 29 under section 17 (3) of the Hudood Ordinance and were detained as suspects.

He requested the court to overlook the report of the raid commissioner.

According to the petitioner’s lawyer, Farmood Ali Babar, Justice Leghari verbally directed the SHO to ensure the production of Shamsuddin otherwise he would be sent to jail.

The matter has been fixed for Aug 30.