LAHORE: Inspector General of Punjab Police Arif Nawaz Khan has ordered an inquiry against a former regional police officer (RPO) for “misuse of authority” while serving in Dera Ghazi Khan region.

The inquiry was launched after a sister of the senior police officer and her husband appeared before the IGP in an open court where they made serious allegations against him.

Residents of Khanpur, Mianwali, they sought intervention of the IGP after the district police refused to take action against the police officer, an official told Dawn. He said the complainant and her husband told Mr Arif Nawaz that the senior police officer who is currently heading a police unit in Lahore, wanted to grab her property.

She said the officer during his posting as DG Khan RPO misused his authority, visited her residence and harassed her to occupy her property in the town. The RPO brought the SHO and other police officials to her home and threatened her that a criminal case would be registered against her and her husband for resisting his bid to take possession of her property.

She further said the Khanpur city police had lodged a criminal case against her in-laws six months ago during his brother’s posting as DG Khan RPO.

The official further quoted the woman as having said that she and her family were feeling insecure. She requested the IGP to order an inquiry to dig out facts and take action against her brother. She also sought police security for her family.

The official said some senior police officers tried to influence the woman to withdraw her application. The IGP deputed senior police officer Azhar Hameed Khokhar to conduct an inquiry and submit a detailed report.

Mr Khokhar has sought a report from the Mianwali DPO and comments from the officer facing the allegation of misuse of authority, said the official.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2019