KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Friday was informed by the provincial police chief that 324 persons had been arrested and 294 cases registered in the ongoing crackdown on the manufacture and sale of gutka, mainpuri and other harmful items on the court’s directives.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Munib Akhar was hearing a constitutional petition of a concerned citizen, Mohammed Rashid Khan, who sought measures against the manufacture and sale of gutka and mainpuri.

On Friday, in compliance with the court’s earlier order, the police department filed a detailed report on the matter.

The SHC had earlier directed the inspector general of police, Sindh, to file his reply on the rejoinder of the petitioner, who alleged that the hazardous gutka was still being manufactured and sold openly in the city, especially in parts of District West, under the patronage of police and officials of the provincial and city administrations.

Complying with the court’s directives, additional inspector general of Karachi on behalf of IG A. D. Khawaja submitted a report showing that the provincial police chief had ordered strict action against the manufacture and sale of gutka.

The report said that from August till date 324 persons involved in making and selling of these harmful items were nabbed and 294 cases were registered against them.

“The crackdown against these sub-standard items is still continuing.”

The petitioner had filed the rejoinder to the comments filed by the senior superintendent of police (West) who had denied the manufacture and sale of gutka in the district.

In his rejoinder, the petitioner submitted that he had moved three applications to district West police seeking action against the manufacture and sale of gutka in Surjani Town, Orangi Town, Baldia Town and other areas.

“However, no action was taken against the menace and manufacturing units were openly operating in the whole district,” he said.

He asked the court to direct the respondents to take effective action against the culprits involved in running a gutka manufacturing factory in Ghaziabad, Orangi Town’s Sector 11 1/2.

The petitioner also sought disciplinary action against the officials involved in patronising the menace in the city.

The bench put off the hearing to a date to be later pronounced by the court’s office.

Case against police officials

Meanwhile, another two-judge bench directed the investigators to place on record the details of bank account of Head Constable Mohammed Rafiq who had allegedly got Rs50million funds for fuel charges debited in his account by senior police officers.

A two-judge bench was hearing the acquittal plea of Assistant Inspector General (finance) Fida Hussain who along with other senior officers was booked by NAB for allegedly misappropriating funds released for Muharram security arrangements.

It was alleged that the senior police officers had misappropriated Rs50million and deposited the same into Head Constable Mohammed Rafiq’s account. The bench put off the hearing till Nov 9.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2017