LAHORE: The Supreme Court on Saturday directed Punjab police inspector general to initiate departmental action against former capital city police officer (CCPO) of Lahore Amin Wains and inspector Umar Virk as recommended by an inquiry committee for their serious misconduct.

Both Mr Wains and Mr Virk were accused of using police muscle for a ‘settlement’ in a financial matter involving two widows of a super store’s owner and people who allegedly invested in the business.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had ordered an inquiry into the matter wherein the officers had been found guilty of abuse of power.

Former Punjab IGP Kaleem Imam, who now heads Sindh police, submitted the report before a two-judge bench and stated that the officers had been found guilty of misconduct. He said the inquiry had recommended departmental action against them.

The report revealed that retired justice Hamid Ali Shah of the Lahore High Court also acted as an arbitrator to settle the matter.

At this the chief justice summoned the retired judge in the court and asked him to stay away from the matter in future.

Expressing displeasure over the conduct of the two police officers, Chief Justice Nisar observed that former CIA SP Umar Virk was found involved in every big dispute of the city. “But you failed to track down a dacoity incident with me,” the chief justice reminded Mr Virk, now an inspector after his demotion.

“As to why not an inquiry should be ordered into your complete service record as you have also been accused of staging fake counters,” he asked Mr Virk. The chief justice directed DIG Abubakar Khuda Bukhsh to name an honest police officer to hold the inquiry.

The chief justice further directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate about assets and income tax of two main investors of Akbari Super Store, owned by late Sheikh Muhammad Ajmal.

The agency was directed to file its report within a fortnight.

He ordered Punjab IGP Muhammad Tahir to initiate action against the police officers in the light of the inquiry report and submit a report within two months.

Fauzia Ajmal, the second widow of the store’s owner, had filed an application to the chief justice, accusing the two police officers of coercing her to sign an agreement with the first widow Bilqees Begum and the investors.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2018