ISLAMABAD: The head of the joint investigation team (JIT) looking into the alleged abuse of a child domestic employee has been transferred from the capital police, and the Establishment Division was approached in this regard.

Recently promoted to deputy inspector general of police (DIG), Kashif Alam was heading the JIT that recovered the child last Sunday. The decision to remove him came after allegations surfaced about the police keeping the child in captivity for a day, officials said.

A police officer who asked to remain anonymous said: “Most likely, strict action will also be taken against other police officials, including a few senior officers, are they are also involved in keeping the [child maid] in secret police confinement for over a day.”

Mr Alam landed in hot water after superiors learned that the child, Tayyaba, was recovered before Sunday, the officer said. He added: “The police team traced her and took her into custody, but kept it secret until Sunday.”

She was kept in an undisclosed location from when she was recovered until Sunday, the police official claimed, adding that it has not yet been determined whether the JIT located her on Saturday or before that.

He said a member of the team has also gone on leave since superiors learned of the matter, but refused to name the official on leave.

A letter regarding the transfer of the DIG stated: “It is submitted that name of Mr Kashif Alam PSP/BS-19 presently posted in Islamabad Capital Territory Police has been considered in the meeting of Central Selection Board for promotion to the post of DIG (BS-20) held in December, 2016... His services are no more required by this office after his promotion as DIG (BS-20) and he is required to be posted out of ICP Police.”

The letter asks for the Establishment Division to be approached through the Ministry of Interior to transfer Mr Alam from the Islamabad police.

Another letter reads: “It is submitted that name of Mr Mohammad Saleem, PSP/BS19 presently posted at Regional Investigation Branch, Multan has been considered in the meeting of central selection board from promotion to the post DIG (BS-20) held in December 2016. His services are required by ICP Police against an existing vacant post of BS-20.”

The letter said two of the three sanctioned DIG seats in the capital police are vacant.

A police official said DIG Khattak was posted as DIG headquarters, Mr Alam was working in the office of DIG operations and DIG Waqar Chohan was given additional charge as DIG security.

He said while Mr Alam has yet to be transferred from the capital police force, the seat he was appointed to is considered vacant.

Mr Alam, when contacted, said he could not comment on the matter. When asked about Tayyaba’s case, he said: “My team has done a good job.”

Assistant Inspector General of Police Mohammad Suleman, when contacted, neither confirmed nor denied the matter, saying that the information is “confidential and classified”.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2017