ISLAMABAD: A local court has ordered the registration of a cross-FIR against three Shahzad Town police officials for allegedly torturing and booking a bailiff of the district and sessions court (east) on criminal charges a fortnight ago.

Officials in the police said Abdul Qadir filed a petition with the court of additional district and sessions judge, seeking orders for the registration of a case against the SHO, a sub-inspector and a head constable of the Shahzad Town police station.

In the petition, he alleged that his friend, Zahid Shah, was intercepted by the police at a picket on January 15 and his motorcycle was impounded. After getting a telephone call from him, Mr Qadir said he reached the picket. However, the policemen took him to the police station where the SHO, along with the SI and the head constable, subjected him to torture.

He alleged that the police took Rs30,000 from his friend before allowing him to go home and put him (petitioner) behind bars despite taking Rs20,000 from his family.

He also alleged that a baseless case was registered against him on the charges of assaulting the police and criminal intimidation.

In response, the judge ordered the police to register a case against the policemen and probe the matter.

It may be noted that the Shahzad Town police have already sent a report to the district and sessions judge, seeking action against the bailiff for allegedly misusing his position and trying to help drug peddlers.

A police official said on January 9, the police were informed that drug peddlers were operating from a graveyard in Shahzad Town.

A police team sent to the area found a motorcycle without a registration plate abandoned there and shifted it to the police station. The police believed that the bike was owned by one of the drug peddlers.

The official said on Jan 15 a man reached the police station and introduced himself as a bailiff of the district and sessions court. He sought a report from the police to get back the bike on Superdari.

The bailiff was told that it looked awkward that he had come to the police station to release the bike of the alleged drug peddlers. But the bailiff allegedly threatened the police officials with dire consequences and assaulted them.

The matter was brought into the knowledge of senior officers who ordered the registration of a case against the bailiff. Later, the police arrested the bailiff after registering a case against him. The next day, the accused was produced before a court which released him on bail.

When contacted, Subdivisional Police Officer (SDPO) Shahzad Town Chaudhry Mohammad Iqbal told Dawn: “So far the police have not received any order for the registration of a case against the SHO and other officials.”

The SDPO said he was among the officers who had ordered the police to register a case against the bailiff for allegedly acting in favour of drug peddlers.

Published in Dawn February 1st, 2015

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