November 26, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 1, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 25: The director-general of the Crisis Management Cell of the interior ministry, Brig Javaid Iqbal Cheema, has been accused of harassing two citizens and misusing his position.

The two persons in their separate writ petitions before the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi bench, have accused the official of keeping them in illegal custody without registration of any case against them.

Petitioner Nisar Ahmad stated that he had sold 262 kanals to the Interior Cooperative Housing Society for Rs35 million. He said he received Rs34 million and Rs1.128 million was outstanding against the society.

He alleged that Brig Cheema, on being appointed the administrator of the society, asked him to pay Rs10 million.

He complained that when he refused to pay, he was picked up by the police and kept in the CIA centre, from where he was moved to House No.9, Street No.47, F-7/2, where he was kept for two days and some persons allegedly tortured him under the supervision of Brig Cheema.

He said he was then moved to Lake View Hotel and kept there for two days. He alleged that he was kept in illegal custody for seven days.

He said was allowed to leave when he assured his captors that he would bring property documents for surety from his house.

Another petitioner, Malik Saeed Akhtar, in his writ petition filed through Advocate Khalid Ismail Abbasi, said that Interior Cooperative Housing Society purchased land from him.

He complained that he was summoned by a DSP of the Crime Investigation Agency for inquiry and detained without the registration of a case. He said that he was kept in illegal custody till a high court bailiff conducted a raid on Oct 10.

The petitioner said the DSP had stated before the high court that there was no case pending against him and he had been “called” on behalf of Brig Cheema.

He said a few days later he was again asked to appear before Brig Cheema and threatened with dire consequences in case of failing to do so.

When he did not appear, a police party raided his house, he complained.

He stated the police had no authority to conduct raids without any complaint or FIR.