ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has decided to display CCTV footage of a ‘raid’ on a spa to ascertain the allegations whether private persons breached the privacy or it was police who conducted the raid.

IHC Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri was hearing the petition of the owner of the spa who is accused in the FIR registered under section 371 A-B against him, their clients and masseuses.

As per the FIR, the Lohi Bher Polcie conducted a raid on the spa situated in Phase IV of Bahria Town and arrested the masseuses and their clients.

Petitioner’s counsel argued before the court that some private media persons have conducted the raid on the premises of the petitioner and took an amount of Rs576,000 and when the petitioner demanded return of the money, they got an FIR registered against him and other persons.

The lawyer claimed that neither the magistrate nor any member of the Police party was associated in the raid proceedings, CCTV footage is also available in this regard.

Justice Jahangir observed that the points raised by the counsel need consideration.

He sought a report from the police in a week and also directed the IT Department of the IHC to “make arrangements for displaying the CCTV footage in this court on the next date of hearing.”

Further hearing in this matter has been adjourned till Feb 27.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2023