HYDERABAD, March 8: A division bench of Sindh High Court, Hyderabad Circuit, on Wednesday directed secretary of the ministry of defence to file his personal affidavit stating that Sikandar Ali Soomro, an activist of Jeay Sindh Muttaheda Mahaz (JSMM), was not under detention or control of any of the agency under his ministry.

The court also took notice of delay in communication of information to concerned authority by court offices.

“In such sensitive matters, the office is to be diligent and communicate orders of the court,” the court observed with directives to defence secretary to file his personal affidavit by next date of hearing.

The order was passed on a constitutional petition filed by detainee’s brother, Ayaz Ali Soomro, who said Sikandar was arrested by A-section police under sections 13-D of Arms Ordinance 1965.

He was later acquitted on Jan 25 and the writ of release was issued to central jail superintendent.

He said that he waited till late in night outside central prison to receive his brother but he was not released.

When he contacted jail authorities he was told that his brother had been released without giving him details when he was let off.

He said the papers reported Sikandar’s re-arrest on Jan 27 but he was not produced before any court or magistrate as required by law.

Even after acquittal, he had not been released or may be some other agency had picked him again without disclosing his whereabouts, he feared.

He prayed the court to direct secretary home department, PPO Sindh, superintendent central prison and SHO Baldia police station to produce his brother and set him free.

The court, earlier, observed that “disappearance of persons has become order of the day and needs to be checked by law enforcing agencies.