LAHORE, Sept 20: The suspension of a lower rank official (ASI) for allegedly releasing a robber and no action against the Gujjarpura SHO for his involvement in changing the victim’s application have once again questioned the transparency in award of punishments.

Capital city police officer Malik Muhammad Iqbal on Thursday suspended only Gujjarpura ASI Gulzar Ahmed for sheer negligence and gross misconduct in performance of duties. But, he took no action against the SHO for pressurising the victim to change the FIR by involving some area influential and a nazim in persuading the aggrieved party to a compromise.

The ASI did not register a robbery case while an accused handed over to him by the public had also `managed his escape.’

According to a handout issued on Thursday, the CCPO further directed the SSP (discipline & inspection) to conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter and submit a report to him at the earliest despite the fact that he was already probing the case.

According to complainant Arshad Baig, his application filed with the CCPO and SSP (operations) carried details about the treatment SHO Abdullah Jan meted out to him and other locals when they visited him on Sept 2 for the registration of the case against three robbers, including one of their arrested accomplices.

“The SHO lodged our FIR after changing the application and mentioned three unidentified people despite the fact that we had handed over a robber to the police,” he said.

The discrimination in awarding punishment to the ASI and sparing the SHO shows that the influential police officials are allowed to work according to their sweet will.

Meanwhile, the Mughalpura division SP called Gujjarpura SHO Abdullah Jan at his office on Thursday in the presence of the complainant, and ordered him to produce the escaped robber in a couple of days otherwise face action in the light of the report to be submitted to the SSP (operations).

Afzal Baig, brother of complainant Arshad Baig, told this reporter by phone that the SHO had again involved UC-17 nazim Mian Amir and sent a message to them to reconcile with the police and receive the looted cash and cell phone as well. — Staff Reporter