LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday directed the capital city police officer to submit a report about departmental action taken against the police personnel who failed to save the life of a pregnant woman who was brutally murdered near the court.

A special division bench comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik was hearing a petition questioning security measures on court premises, especially in subordinate courts.

On the last hearing of the petition, the bench had taken notice of the murder and sought a report from the CCPO.

Appearing before the bench on Thursday, the CCPO stated that four out of the six nominated suspects and nine out of the 20 unidentified ones in the murder case had been arrested. He said the incident took place some 100 metres from the outer gate (Masjid gate) of the LHC.

He further stated that investigation of the case would be completed shortly and the challan would be submitted to the trial court within the prescribed period.

Punjab acting advocate general Mustafa Ramday said administrative proceedings were on to fix the responsibility and determine why the police officials who were present near the crime scene did not intervene to protect the woman.

The bench adjourned further hearing till July 10 and directed the CCPO to submit details of the action taken against the delinquent cops.

Taking up main contention of the petition, the bench noted that on account of security arrangements made by police so far, no untoward incident had taken place on court premises during the last eleven months. This reflected upon the cooperation by the bars and alertness of the police authorities, it said. Mr Ramday, however, expressed concern regarding security measures at Model Town and Cantonment courts.

remand: An anti-terrorism court judge on Thursday handed over the former husband and two relatives of Farzana, bludgeoned to death allegedly by her family, to police on a seven-day physical remand.

The court directed the police to produce the suspects again on June 12 and complete investigation.

Mozang police produced Mazhar Abbas, former husband of Farzana, Zahid Iqbal and Ghulam Ali before the judge. The investigating officer sought 14-day physical remand of the suspects, however, the court allowed seven-day remand.

Father of Farzana is already in police custody.

impounded cars: The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought a report from the inspector general of Punjab police about leased-vehicles impounded by the police to please private banks.

The bench headed by Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan heard a petition of the Muslim Commercial Bank against the non-return of an impounded car by the police.

The counsel for the bank stated the bank had leased out a car to Shafqat Raza, but a dispute rose between both parties (bank and lessee) and the car was impounded by the South Cantonment police in 2011.

He said later the dispute was resolved but the police refused to hand over the car. Expressing dismay on the act of police, the bench summoned the IG forthwith.

The bench ordered the IG, when he appeared after half-an-hour, to hand over the impounded car to citizen/lessee within two days and furnish all details about leased-vehicles impounded by the police.

Justice Khan observed that banks had hired ‘tough guys’ for the recovery of vehicles from alleged defaulters and police played the role of a silent spectator. The bench also directed the IG to take action against such outlaws hired by the banks in accordance with law and stop police from helping them.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2014