FAISALABAD: A case has been registered against more than 30 lawyers under Anti-Terrorism Act, for allegedly manhandling Dijkot police station in-charge and his staff on the district courts premises.

In his complaint filed with the Civil Lines police, Dijkot Station House Officer Malik Waris stated that on Saturday he produced a suspect, Malik Shahid, brother of a lawyer, Malik Arshad, who was booked in a case under section 406 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on April 25.

The SHO said that on the district courts premises some lawyers, including Tariq Maan, Mian Liaqat, Zahid, Malik Arshad, Malik Farhan, Fahad, Bilal, Waseem, Malik Iftikhar, Iftikhar Ahmed and their 25 unknown colleagues attacked the police.

He said the lawyers not only hurled life threats at him and his subordinates but also tore their uniform, snatched cash, ID cards, service cards and his wrist watch.

He said the lawyers’ act of violence terrorised the litigants and others present on the courts premises, adding that he and other policemen were rescued by some people.

On the complaint of the SHO, police registered a case against the suspects under section 7 of the ATA, 114,148,149,186,353 and 382 of the PPC with no arrest.

Lawyers have been manhandling police and litigants on court premises, especially in the cases in which their colleagues or relatives are involved.

In most of such cases, the police officials have to reconcile with the lawyers because of the pressure of their high-ups.

Meanwhile, flanked by fellow lawyers, district bar association Secretary Sohail Zafar at a press conference at the district bar on Sunday announced a strike for today (Monday) across the division.

Denying the allegations, he alleged the police had raided the houses of lawyers and misbehaved with their families. He claimed that the lawyers had only exchanged words with the SHO and nobody tortured him.

Lawyers demanded the suspension of the SHO and warned they would not allow any policeman to enter the courts if their demand was not accepted.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2018