DADU: The district and sessions judge of Dadu on Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for SSP Dr Farrukh Raza Malik and B-Section SHO Munawwar Ali Chandio for not complying with its order.

The court asked the Hyderabad DIG to ensure production of the two police officers on July 31 as they failed to appear in court on Monday (July 29) as per its earlier order and, instead, City DSP Umer Shahani and PDSP Panah Ali Shah produced themselves without the required authority letter.

SSP Malik and SHO Chandio were also ordered to insert the relevant section(s) of the Anti-Terrorism Act in the FIR registered against Saeed Ahmed Jamali, the younger brother of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Rafique Ahmed Jamali.

The younger Jamali, along with his 15 associates, was booked in a case pertaining to the manhandling of an inspection team of the Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco). The team, led by superintendent engineer Sarfraz Ahmed, had visited Jamali’s house in connection with the inspection of power meter and recovery of dues about a week ago.

Sepco officer’s complaint claims lawmaker’s brother, 15 others manhandled his recovery team

In his FIR, Mr Ahmed claimed that Jamali and his armed associates harassed and manhandled the team, held them hostage, snatched their mobile phones and threatened them with dire consequences about a week ago.

In his application submitted in court, he stated that the area police were not ready to register his FIR because of the Jamali family’s political clout.

The court ordered the police to register the FIR which was done. However, the court later directed the SHO and the SSP to insert the relevant section(s) of the ATA in the FIR.

Complainant Ahmed filed ano­ther application asking the court to take notice of contempt of court on the part of the two police officers. The court summoned them to explain their position on July 29 by personally appearing before it.

On Monday, the SSP and SHO did not appear in court and on their behalf DSP Shahani and another police officer tried to represent them.

However, the court ordered arrest of the Dadu SSP and B-Section SHO directing the Hyderabad DIG to ensure their production in court on July 13.

The court observed that ignoring court order regarding inclusion of the ATA section(s) in the FIR clearly showed the attachment and connection of the police officer [SHO] concerned with the accused in the case.

According to reports, the SSP did arrive at the court but left for his office without waiting for his turn to appear before the judge. City DSP Umer Shahani tried to explain the position of the SSP and SHO but failed to satisfy the judge, who issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of the two police officers.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2019