ISLAMABAD: A police official has been booked for setting free two suspects involved in several cases after a court in the federal capital discharged them in only one of the cases, while sending them on judicial remand in at least four cases.

However, instead of taking these suspects back to Adiala jail from district courts in Islamabad, the police team removed their handcuffs and allowed them to walk free.

This did not go down well with the police high-ups, who ordered the registration of an FIR against the policeman at the Ramna police station under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, such as Section 222 and Section 225-A. Section 155-C of the Police Order 2002 was also invoked in the FIR.

The two suspects were arrested in connection with a robbery case registered with the Bhara Kahu police in January. After the arrest, they were sent to Adiala for an identification parade; however, the proceedings in this regard had not taken place.

Suspects discharged in robbery case were on judicial remand in several other cases

Later, an assistant sub-inspector took their custody from the jail to produce them in the court of an area magistrate in connection with a robbery case.

The magistrate “discharged” both of them from the case.

After that, the ASI removed their handcuffs and set them free instead of shifting them to prison for judicial remand in connection with four cases of auto-theft, and arms and stolen vehicle recoveries registered with the same police.

The police had made their formal arrest in connection with these cases and the suspects had been sent on judicial remand in connection with the said cases.

It may be noted that a directive from the police bigwigs was issued earlier this year, taking notice of frequent jailbreaks and asking the police to take precautionary measures to prevent these incidents.

On Feb 12, a suspect arrested by police in connection with a murder in the area of Nilore police station escaped after breaking the locks.

The suspect was in police custody on physical remand and detained at the Banigala police station instead of Nilore station, in whose limits he allegedly committed the murder. After his escape, six police officials, including the SHO, were booked.

On Feb 16, a handcuffed suspect arrested in connection with drug peddling escaped from custody while being transported to jail.

The Khanna police were transporting him to the Adiala jail on judicial remand.

On the way to Adiala, they stopped in front of the Koral police station at a photocopy shop, during which the accused slipped his hand out of the handcuffs and escaped.

On Feb 19, an alleged drug dealer escaped from the custody shortly after his arrest. Over the escape, a case was registered at the Sumbal police station under sections 324, 353, 186, 427, 148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The police claimed that the suspect arrested from Merabadi near G-11 was freed by over a dozen armed suspects.

Almost a dozen people, including women, armed with knives, axes, batons, and a pistol, attacked the police team and whisked the suspect away from the custody.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2025