SAHIWAL: The City police of Pakpattan registered a case against a fifth grader and produced him before a court in handcuffs on Friday.

Additional District and Sessions Judge (AD&SJ) Syed Faizul Hasan was shocked to see handcuffed eight-and-a-half-year old Ali Hasnain when the police produced him in his court. The minor was booked on a first information report (FIR) for selling petrol at a shop illegally.

The judge admonished the police officers concerned for arresting the child and bringing him to the court in handcuffs. He ordered them to immediately remove his handcuffs. He summoned Pakpattan assistant commissioner, Naib Tehsildar Chaudhry Munawar and a personnel of a secret agency on whose report the police had arrested Ali Hasnain from the Railway Road.

Ali Hasnain’s father told the media that the case was registered against his son on the report of an employee of a secret agency. He said the naib tehsildar had conducted the raid along with City Police and arrested Ali.

The judge released the child on interim bail.

Police sources say District Police Officer Ismail Kharrak has taken notice of the incident and ordered DSP Khalid Baloch to hold an inquiry into the matter.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2017