ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Punjab government to constitute an inquiry committee comprising three senior police officers to investigate the allegations of abduction and rape of Sonia Naz.

Led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, the bench directed that the inquiry committee should consist of three renowned police officers not below the rank of SP, while Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab should supervise the entire process.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Investigations Tariq Saleem Dogar told the court that FIRs had been registered against Superintendent Police Faisalabad Abdullah Khalid and Station House Officer (SHO) Jaranwala (Faisalabad) Inspector Jamshed Iqbal Chishti for abusing Sonia Naz.

This is a serious matter, as such cases are bringing a bad name to the country and impeding its progress, the court said.

When the court was told that the accused had not yet been arrested, the bench directed that the accused should not be spared only because they were police officers and action should be taken against them in accordance with the law. The court adjourned the hearing for October 20.

The court was hearing a suo motu case on reported abduction and rape of a housewife, Sonia Naz, by SP Investigations Abdullah Khalid. Advocate Zulfikar Ahmed Bhutta represented Sonia Naz.