Karachi, Sept 15: The Sindh High Court has ordered the Capital City Police Officer to recover a missing woman and produce her before the court positively by Sept 30. In case the woman is not recovered, the CCPO shall personally appear before the court and explain reasons of police failure, the court order said.

These directives were issued by SHC’s single bench, comprising Justice Mohammad Sadiq Leghari, in the bail matter of accused Shakoorul Hasan, an alleged exorcist, as the court came to know that police did not bother to recover woman Ms Shama, a star witness, whose spouse Khaliluddin enticed his wife for committing Zina.

The accused was arrested on May 21 from Sohrab Goth and a case was registered against him in Shah Latif Town police station. However, the applicant was sent on trial by police without recovering the woman.

Granting bail to the applicant, the court expressed dissatisfaction over the investigation by the police and observed that it was not the first case where court noticed the insincere and irresponsible performance on part of the investigation officer.

If this standard of investigation continues, not only deterrence of law and fear of trial shall disappear completely, but it shall also lead to disappearance of a sense of security among citizens, the court noted in order.

Justice Leghari also expressed anguish on the concerned district police officers for conceding such type of investigation and approving it for submission before court for trial.—PPI