SARGODHA, April 2: The police are reluctant to register cheque dishonour cases, tormenting complainants at the behest of violators. Police sources claim that

DPO Sheikh Umer has directed all police stations in the district to refrain from registering cases of cheque dishonoring.

While the DPO says that there is no such standing order in this regard as free registration of cases are being lodged at the police stations.

However, the survey conducted by this correspondent reveals that on the ground situation is quite contrary to what the DPO claims because no case of cheque bouncing is registered without a prior permission or direction from the DPO. Even if someone is lucky enough to get the permission from the DPO, he has to give a back hander to the police to get the case registered.

Qaiser Malik said that Qaiser Shaheen had given him two cheques — 39726433 of Rs9,863 dated Aug 15, 2006; and 39726435 of Rs11,250 dated Sept 29, 2006 — but the ABL’s Supply Road branch informed him that the account had not sufficient funds. He said the matter was reported to the police, but they demanded 50 per cent share from him.

Similarly, Miss Naila Ghafoor had given a cheque No 5097721 of Rs37,000 dated Aug 10, 2006, to Iftikhar Chishti which was bounced at the Askari Commercial Bank Limited.

Both complainants informed the DPO on Feb 2, 2007, that the police were reluctant to register cases against violators. Although the DPO directed the police to register cases, no FIR was instituted so far. Complainants said the police were only testing their endurance by repeatedly calling other parties on the pretext to resolve the dispute.

Legislators have formulated the law to punish those who misappropriate hard-earned money of the people by issuing bogus cheques.

Despite a strict view of higher courts in this regard, the police were showing undue favour to cheats to achieve their ugly end.